What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je m'appelle literally translates to 'I call myself'.
Which one should you use?
Bonjour is the standard and polite way to say hello, whereas Salut can be used for a more casual 'Hi' among peers or in informal settings. For example, you might use Salut, je m'appelle Erica to say 'Hi, my name is Erica'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bonjour, je m'appelle Erica is a formal way to say 'Hello, my name is Erica.' Using Bonjour at the start of an introduction is the standard polite way to begin a conversation with someone you do not know. In contrast, Salut, je suis Erica is an informal way to say 'Hi, I am Erica.' The word Salut is an informal way of saying 'Hello.'
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase m'appelle, the m' is a contraction of me, which is the reflexive pronoun used to indicate that the action is being performed on oneself.
Did you know?
- If you enter a small boutique in France, saying Bonjour to the shopkeeper before looking at any items is a non-negotiable social requirement.
- The pronoun je in je m'appelle evolved from the Latin word egō̆, which is the direct ancestor of the English word 'ego'.
- If you find yourself introducing yourself after the sun has gone down, switching from Bonjour to Bonsoir is the culturally appropriate way to acknowledge the evening.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, je m'appelle Erica, enchantée.Hello, my name is Erica, nice to meet you.
- Bonjour, je m'appelle Erica et je suis française.Hello, my name is Erica and I am French.
Example conversation
Emma is introducing herself to a new colleague.
- EmmaBonjour, je m'appelle Erica.Hello, my name is Erica.
- HugoBonjour Erica, moi c'est Hugo.Hello Erica, I am Hugo.
- EmmaEnchantée de vous rencontrer, Hugo.Nice to meet you, Hugo.
- HugoEnchanté également, Erica.Nice to meet you too, Erica.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bonjour, Erica, bonjour, je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
