我可以要你的电话号码吗？
wǒ kěyǐ yào nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?
The English phrase "can I get your number?" can be said in Chinese as 我可以要你的电话号码吗？ (wǒ kěyǐ yào nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?)
This phrase is used to ask someone for their telephone number so that you may contact them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 我 (I), 可以 (can), 要 (want/ask for), 你的 (your), 电话号码 (telephone number) and the question particle 吗.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While 我可以要你的电话号码吗？ is a direct way to ask for a number, you can use 方便留个联系方式吗？ to be more polite. Using 联系方式 (contact method) instead of 电话号码 (telephone number) is considered less intrusive.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ kěyǐ yào nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to reverse the direction of the request. Saying 你要我的电话号码吗？ means "Do you want my telephone number?", whereas 我可以要你的… means "Can I have yours?"
When do people say it?
In mainland China, it is much more common to ask to add someone on WeChat (加个微信吧) rather than asking for a traditional telephone number.
Did you know?
- In modern China, asking for a 'number' can be seen as outdated because the QR code system allows people to connect via WeChat without ever typing or speaking a digit.
- While 电话号码 refers to a phone number, the word 电话 (telephone) literally translates to 'electric speech'.
- If you are asking for a number in a formal business setting, it is common to use the honorific 您 instead of 你 to show respect to the other person.
Examples in context
- 请问，可否告诉我您的电话号码？Excuse me, may I ask for your phone number?
- 请问，能否请您留个电话号码？Excuse me, can you leave me your phone number?
- 我能要下你的号码吗？Can I get your number?
- 你给我你的电话号码好吗？Can you give me your phone number?
- 能告诉我你的手机号码吗？Can you tell me your mobile number?
- 我可以要你的电话号码吗？Wǒ kěyǐ yào nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?Can I get your phone number?
- 如果不介意，我可以要你的电话号码吗？Rúguǒ bù jièyì, wǒ kěyǐ yào nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?If you don't mind, can I get your phone number?
- 我们可以加个微信，我可以要你的电话号码吗？Wǒmen kěyǐ jiā gè Wēixìn, wǒ kěyǐ yào nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?We can add each other on WeChat, can I get your phone number?
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a social event.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，今天很高兴认识你。Zhìqiáng, jīntiān hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.Zhiqiang, it was very nice meeting you today.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也很高兴认识你，晓雯。Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, Xiǎowén.I am also glad to meet you, Xiaowen.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想和你保持联系，我可以要你的电话号码吗？Wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ bǎochí liánxì, wǒ kěyǐ yào nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?I want to stay in touch, can I get your number?
- 志强 Zhiqiang没问题，我的号码是 12345678。Méi wèntí, wǒ de hàomǎ shì yī èr sān sì wǔ liù qī bā.No problem, my number is 12345678.
