你好，我叫
nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3
The phrase 你好，我叫 (nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3) is used in Cantonese to say "hi, my name is".
This phrase is used to greet someone and introduce yourself by name. You can also use variations like Lei hou, ngo giu… (hello, I am called), Lei hou, ngo si… (hello, I am) or Ha-lo, ngo giu… (hi, I am called) to achieve the same purpose.
What does it mean word for word?
The part 我叫 (ngo5 giu3) literally means "I am called".
Which one should you use?
While 我叫 (ngo5 giu3) means "I am called", you may also encounter 我係 (ngo5 hai6), which means "I am" and can also be used for introductions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 叫 (giu3) is used to introduce one's name, functioning similarly to the English "to be called".
How do you pronounce it?
nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3
Did you know?
- In very polite introductions, a speaker might use 貴姓 (gwai sing), which asks 'what is your honorable surname', rather than asking for a full name.
- When introducing yourself in a business context, it is common to state your job title or company before your name, rather than using 我叫 first.
- While 你好 is the standard 'hello', Cantonese speakers in Hong Kong frequently use the English 'Hello' or 'Hi' even when the rest of the sentence is in Cantonese.
Examples in context
- 哈囉，我叫阿明。Hi, my name is Ah Ming.
- 嗨，我係小芳。Hey, I am Xiao Fang.
- 你好，我叫李美玲。nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3 lei5 mei5 ling4.Hi, my name is Li Meiling.
- 你好，我叫小明。nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3 siu2 ming4.Hi, my name is Xiao Ming.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a party.
- 志強 Chi Keung你好，我叫志強。nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3 zi3 koeng4.Hi, my name is Zhiqiang.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你好，我叫嘉欣。很高興認識你。nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3 gaa1 han1. han2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5.Hi, my name is Jiaxin. Very nice to meet you.
- 志強 Chi Keung我也很高興認識你。ngo5 jaa5 han2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5.I am also very glad to meet you.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你來自哪裡？nei5 loi6 zi6 naa5 leoi5?Where are you from?
