nazywam się …
The phrase "my name is" in Polish can be expressed as nazywam się … or mam na imię …
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Polish |
|---|
| nazywam się … |
| mam na imię … |
Both phrases are used to identify yourself, but they are applied in different contexts depending on how much of your name you are providing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mam na imię literally translates to "I have for a name", while nazywam się literally translates to "I call myself".
Which one should you use?
You should use nazywam się … when providing your full name, including both your first and last name.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use nazywam się followed only by their first name. This can sound slightly unnatural.
Did you know?
- While mam na imię focuses on the given name, Polish culture places a high value on the 'name day' imieniny, which is often celebrated more widely than a birthday.
- The word imię shares a common ancestor with the English word 'name', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁n̥h₃mén.
- When introducing someone else, a Polish speaker might use the phrase przedstawiam państwu, which means 'I present to you' and is far more common in formal events than simply saying 'this is'.
Examples in context
- Nazywam się Anna Kowalska. Bardzo mi miło.My name is Anna Kowalska. Nice to meet you.
- Mam na imię Piotr. Miło mi cię poznać!My name is Piotr. Nice to meet you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries imię, na, się, CC BY-SA 4.0.
