我叫……
wǒ jiào …
The English phrase "my name is" can be translated into Mandarin as 我叫…… (wǒ jiào …) or 我的名字是…… If unsure, use 我叫……
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 我叫…… | wǒ jiào … |
| 我的名字是…… | wǒ de míngzi shì … |
You can use these phrases to identify yourself when introducing yourself in most social situations, such as meeting a colleague or a new person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 我叫…… literally means "I am called…".
Which one should you use?
我叫…… is more common and natural in spoken Chinese. In contrast, 我的名字是…… sounds more formal or slightly more 'translated' from English and is less frequently used in casual conversation than 我叫……
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 我叫……, the verb 叫 is a transitive verb that takes the person's name directly as its object.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ jiào …
When do people say it?
Traditional Mandarin Chinese names usually follow the pattern of [Surname + Given Name].
Did you know?
- In very formal introductions, a person may refer to themselves as 在下, which literally means 'the one below'. This is a traditional way to signal modesty and respect toward the listener.
- When introducing yourself, you might use the term 小 (little) before your name, such as 小王, if you are younger or lower in rank than the person you are meeting.
- In professional or humble settings, speakers often use 贵姓 to ask for a name, which literally means 'honorable surname'. This avoids the directness of 'what is your name' by focusing on the status of the family line.
Examples in context
- 我叫李明My name is Li Ming
- 我叫做小红I'm called Xiao Hong
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
