Come ti chiami?
The phrase "what is your name?" in Italian is Come ti chiami?
Come ti chiami? is a question used to ask someone their name in an informal setting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Come ti chiami? literally translates to "How do you call yourself?"
Which one should you use?
Come ti chiami? uses the informal second-person singular pronoun ti, whereas the formal version uses si.
How does it change in a sentence?
The standard way to respond to this question is by using the reflexive verb form Mi chiamo… followed by your name.
Did you know?
- The verb chiamare in Come ti chiami? is also used to describe the ringing of a bell or a phone call.
- The pronoun ti in Come ti chiami? shares an ancient root with the English word 'thee'.
- If you use the formal version Come si chiama? in a very casual setting like a youth hostel, you might accidentally create a sense of social distance that makes you seem stiff or overly polite.
Examples in context
- Ciao! Come ti chiami?Hello! What is your name?
- Buongiorno! Come si chiama?Good morning/afternoon! What is your name?
- Come ti chiami?What is your name?
- Scusa, come ti chiami?Excuse me, what is your name?
- E tu, come ti chiami?And you, what is your name?
Example conversation
Two students meet for the first time at school.
- AlessandroCiao, io sono Alessandro. Come ti chiami?Hi, I am Alessandro. What is your name?
- SofiaCiao Alessandro, mi chiamo Sofia.Hi Alessandro, my name is Sofia.
- AlessandroPiacere di conoscerti, Sofia!Nice to meet you, Sofia!
- SofiaPiacere mio!My pleasure!
