Bonjour, comment vous vous appelez ?
The English phrase "hello, what is your name?" is translated into French as Bonjour, comment vous vous appelez ?
This phrase is a polite way to greet someone and ask for their name.
How does it change in a sentence?
When responding to this question, the standard way to state your name is to say Je m'appelle… followed by your name.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying Comment est votre nom? to ask for someone's name, as this is an unnatural construction.
When do people say it?
In French-speaking countries, it's common to greet people with a kiss on the cheek or a handshake, depending on the level of familiarity and the region.
Did you know?
- The word vous in the phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin 'vōs', meaning it shares the same ancestral root as the Russian word вы (vy).
- In French, asking for a name is treated as a reflexive action, meaning the speaker is asking how the person identifies themselves rather than what their 'name' is.
- The word comment is formed by adding the suffix -ment to comme, a structure used in French to create many adverbs from adjectives.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous ?Hello, what is your name?
- Salut, comment tu t'appelles ?Hi, what is your name?
- Excusez-moi, bonjour, comment vous vous appelez ?Excuse me, hello, what is your name?
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan meet for the first time at a networking event.
- ChloéBonjour, comment vous vous appelez ?Hello, what is your name?
- NathanBonjour, je m'appelle Nathan. Et vous ?Hello, my name is Nathan. And you?
- ChloéEnchantée, je m'appelle Chloé.Nice to meet you, my name is Chloé.
- NathanRavi de vous rencontrer, Chloé.Delighted to meet you, Chloé.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bonjour, bonjour, comment, vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
