je m'appelle Ava
To say my name is Ava in French, say je m'appelle Ava.
This is the standard way to introduce yourself. Je suis Ava, I am Ava, is a more informal option.
What does it mean word for word?
je m'appelle literally means I call myself. Je means I.
Which one should you use?
Je suis Ava is correct grammar, but je m'appelle Ava is the more standard and natural introduction.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is reflexive, which is why the pronoun m' comes before appelle.
Did you know?
- The word je descends from the Latin egō̆, which is the same root that gave English the word 'ego'.
- The verb used in je m'appelle is the same verb used when you tell someone you are 'calling' them on the telephone. This means your introduction literally shares a root with the act of making a phone call.
- In very formal settings or when answering a phone, a French speaker might say Allô, c'est Ava instead of je m'appelle. This literally means 'Hello, it is Ava' and is the standard way to identify oneself to someone who cannot see you.
Examples in context
- Je m'appelle Ava.My name is Ava.
- Je suis Ava.I am Ava.
- Enchantée, je m'appelle Ava.Nice to meet you, my name is Ava.
- Bonjour, je m'appelle Ava.Hello, my name is Ava.
Example conversation
Two students meeting for the first time in a classroom.
- HugoSalut, je m'appelle Hugo.Hi, my name is Hugo.
- LéaBonjour Hugo, je m'appelle Ava.Hello Hugo, my name is Ava.
- HugoEnchanté de te rencontrer, Ava.Nice to meet you, Ava.
- LéaMoi aussi, enchantée !Me too, nice to meet you!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
