我的朋友叫
wǒ de péngyǒu jiào
The English phrase "my friend's name is" is translated into Chinese as 我的朋友叫 (wǒ de péngyǒu jiào).
This phrase is used to introduce the name of a friend.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "my friend is called" because the verb 叫 means "to be called" or "to be named".
Which one should you use?
The default form 我的朋友叫 uses the verb 叫 to mean "is called". You can also use the more literal structure 我的朋友的名字是 to express "my friend's name is".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 我的朋友叫, the verb 叫 is a transitive verb that is directly followed by the person's name without the need for a preposition like "is".
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ de péngyǒu jiào
Did you know?
- The character 叫 (jiào) used in this phrase is also the word for 'to shout' or 'to yell', meaning the phrase literally carries a sense of 'calling out' a name.
- In Chinese culture, when introducing a friend, it is often more common to introduce their relationship to you first, such as saying 'This is my classmate' or 'This is my colleague', before even mentioning their name.
- The character 叫 contains the radical for 'mouth', reflecting that naming and calling are oral actions. Many Chinese verbs related to speaking share this same structural component.
Examples in context
- 我朋友的名字是玛丽。My friend's name is Mary.
- 我朋友叫小明。My friend's name is Xiaoming.
- 我有个朋友，他的名字是王伟。I have a friend, his name is Wang Wei.
- 我的朋友叫王明。My friend's name is Wang Ming.
- 我的朋友叫李明。Wǒ de péngyǒu jiào Lǐ Míng.My friend's name is Li Ming.
- 我的朋友叫大卫。Wǒ de péngyǒu jiào Dàwèi.My friend's name is David.
Example conversation
Wei is introducing a friend to Zihan.
- 伟 Wei梓涵，这是我的朋友。Zǐhán, zhè shì wǒ de péngyǒu.Zihan, this is my friend.
- 梓涵 Zihan你好！他叫什么名字？Nǐ hǎo! Tā jiào shénme míngzì?Hello! What is his name?
- 伟 Wei我的朋友叫王强。Wǒ de péngyǒu jiào Wáng Qiáng.My friend's name is Wang Qiang.
- 梓涵 Zihan你好，王强！很高兴认识你。Nǐ hǎo, Wáng Qiáng! Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ.Hello, Wang Qiang! Nice to meet you.
