What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to how do you call yourself? French asks for a name with a reflexive verb meaning to be called, not with a word for name.
Which one should you use?
Comment vous appelez-vous ? uses inversion and is a more formal version, often used in professional or very polite settings. Pourriez-vous me dire votre nom ? means could you tell me your name? And is very polite. Comment tu t'appelles ? is informal, and C'est quoi ton nom ? is a relaxed, friendly way to ask.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use tu t'appelles comment ? instead of vous vous appelez comment ? when speaking to a child, a peer or someone you know well.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not translate the English word for word as Comment est votre nom ? That is not used in French.
When do people say it?
The standard way to answer is Je m'appelle [Name], putting your name after Je m'appelle.
Did you know?
- In French, the word nom specifically refers to a surname or family name. To ask for a first name, a speaker would use the word prénom, which literally means 'pre-name'.
- In some very traditional or historical contexts, the vous form was used not just for strangers, but to show respect to one's own parents.
- While English asks 'what' is your name, French uses comment, which means 'how'. The logic is that you are asking 'how' a person is identified rather than 'what' the object of their name is.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous ?Hello, what is your name?
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me dire votre nom ?Excuse me, could you tell me your name?
- Salut, comment tu t'appelles ?Hi, what is your name?
- Hé, c'est quoi ton nom ?Hey, what is your name?
- Excusez-moi, vous vous appelez comment ?Excuse me, what is your name?
- Monsieur, vous vous appelez comment ?Sir, what is your name?
Example conversation
Gabriel meets Chloé at a professional networking event.
- GabrielBonjour, vous vous appelez comment ?Hello, what is your name?
- ChloéJe m'appelle Chloé, et vous ?My name is Chloé, and you?
- GabrielEnchanté, moi c'est Gabriel.Nice to meet you, I am Gabriel.
- ChloéRavi de faire votre connaissance, Gabriel.Pleasure to meet you, Gabriel.
