What does it mean word for word?
The verb 叫 (jiào) literally means 'to be called' or 'to call'. Because of this, the phrase translates more closely to 'You are called what name?' The word 什么 (shénme) is the interrogative pronoun 'what' and is placed directly before the noun it modifies, which is 名字 (name).
Which one should you use?
You can use a shorter, more colloquial and direct version, 你叫什么？, which omits the noun 名字 (name).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the greeting more respectful, you can replace the pronoun 你 (nǐ) with 您 (nín). This polite form, 您好，您叫什么名字？, is used when addressing elders, superiors or strangers in a formal setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the interrogative pronoun 什么 (shénme) is placed directly before the noun it modifies, which is 名字 (name).
How do you pronounce it?
Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
Did you know?
- While 你好 is the standard 'hello', it is actually less common among close friends than greetings that ask if you have eaten yet, such as 你吃了吗？ (nǐ chī le ma?).
- The character 名 in 名字 (míngzi) originally depicted a mouth below a dark area, suggesting a 'call' or 'sound' used to identify someone in the dark.
- In many professional or formal settings, Chinese speakers may avoid asking 你叫什么名字？ and instead ask for a person's 'surname' using 贵姓 (guì xìng), which literally means 'honorable surname'.
Examples in context
- 你好，你叫什么名字？我刚到这里。Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? Wǒ gāng dào zhèlǐ.Hello, what is your name? I just arrived here.
- 你好，你叫什么名字？很高兴认识你。Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.Hello, what is your name? Nice to meet you.
Example conversation
A new student introduces herself to a classmate at school.
- 梓涵 Zihan你好，你叫什么名字？Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?Hello, what is your name?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我叫志强。Wǒ jiào Zhìqiáng.My name is Zhiqiang.
- 梓涵 Zihan我叫梓涵，很高兴认识你。Wǒ jiào Zǐhán, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.I am Zihan, nice to meet you.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也很高兴认识你。Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.Nice to meet you too.
