mīn nama is
mīn nama is is the Old English way to say "my name is".
This phrase is used to identify oneself.
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun mīn (my), the noun nama (name) and the third-person singular present indicative of wesan (to be), which is is (is).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the noun nama is a masculine noun in the nominative singular case.
Did you know?
- The word nama was often used in Old English poetry to refer not just to a personal name but to a person's entire reputation or fame.
- An Old English speaker could also say iċ hātte , 'I am called', as in iċ hātte Ælfrēd .
- Because is comes from the Indo-European root *h₁ésti, it is part of a massive family of words that includes the Sanskrit 'asti'.
Examples in context
- Mīn nama is Ælfred. Hū fǣrst þū?My name is Alfred. How are you doing?This sentence is useful for seeing how to introduce yourself and ask how someone is doing using mīn nama is.Tatoeba #8557294 by Rawrren, translation #8557296 by Rawrren
- Mīn nama is Æþelstān.My name is Æthelstan.
- Mīn nama is Wulfric.My name is Wulfric.
- Mīn nama is Æthelred, and iċ eom se eorl.My name is Ethelred, and I am the earl.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a market.
- EadricWes hāl! Mīn nama is Eadric.Be healthy! My name is Eadric.
- MildrythWes hāl, Eadric. Iċ eom Mildryth.Be healthy, Eadric. I am Mildryth.
- EadricHwanon eart þū?Where are you from?
- MildrythIċ eom of Wintanceastre.I am from Winchester.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries is, nama, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
