早上好，我叫
zǎoshang hǎo, wǒ jiào
The English phrase "good morning, my name is" is translated into Chinese as 早上好，我叫 (zǎoshang hǎo, wǒ jiào).
This phrase is a polite greeting used in the morning to introduce oneself to another person. The component 早上好 means "good morning" and the component 我叫 is used to introduce your name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 早上好 (good morning) and 我叫 (I am called).
Which one should you use?
While 早上好，我叫 is the standard polite version, you may also encounter the informal version 早啊，我是, which translates to "Good morning, I'm [Name]".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
早上好，我叫 is a formal or semi-formal way to say "good morning, my name is" in Chinese. In contrast, 早啊，我是 is an informal way to say "Good morning, I'm [Name]".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 我叫 to introduce yourself, the verb 叫 (jiào) is followed directly by your name without needing an additional word for "is".
How do you pronounce it?
zǎoshang hǎo, wǒ jiào
Did you know?
- The word 好 (hǎo) in 早上好 means 'good', but it is composed of two characters meaning 'woman' and 'child', representing the traditional Chinese ideal of a happy family.
- When introducing yourself with 我叫, it is common in professional Chinese circles to state your surname first, as the family name holds primary importance.
- The verb 叫 (jiào) used in 我叫 literally means 'to shout' or 'to call out', though it is the standard way to state a name.
Examples in context
- 早上好，我叫王明。Zǎoshang hǎo, wǒ jiào Wáng Míng.Good morning, my name is Wang Ming.
- 早上好，我叫李华。Zǎoshang hǎo, wǒ jiào Lǐ Huá.Good morning, my name is Li Hua.
- 早上好，我叫张伟。Zǎoshang hǎo, wǒ jiào Zhāng Wěi.Good morning, my name is Zhang Wei.
Example conversation
A new colleague introduces himself to a teammate in the office.
- 伟 Wei早上好，我叫伟。Zǎoshang hǎo, wǒ jiào Wěi.Good morning, my name is Wei.
- 佳怡 Jiayi早上好，伟。我叫佳怡。Zǎoshang hǎo, Wěi. Wǒ jiào Jiāyí.Good morning, Wei. My name is Jiayi.
- 伟 Wei很高兴认识你，佳怡。Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ, Jiāyí.Nice to meet you, Jiayi.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也很高兴认识你。Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ.Nice to meet you, too.
