meu nome é …
/mew ˈnõ.mi ˈɛ/word by word
The English phrase 'my name is' can be translated into Portuguese using several forms. If unsure, use meu nome é … Wiktionary also lists chamo-me … and me chamo …
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| meu nome é … | /mew ˈnõ.mi ˈɛ/ (Brazil, word by word) | |
| chamo-me … | ||
| me chamo … | Brazil |
These phrases are used to identify yourself. While meu nome é … is a direct translation of 'my name is', the forms chamo-me … and me chamo … use a reflexive verb to mean 'I call myself'.
What does it mean word for word?
The form chamo-me literally translates to 'I call myself'.
Which one should you use?
meu nome é … is a direct translation of 'my name is'. In contrast, chamo-me … and me chamo … utilize the reflexive verb 'to call oneself'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, it is common to place the reflexive pronoun before the verb, resulting in the form me chamo … This contrasts with the European Portuguese usage of chamo-me …
How do you pronounce it?
/mew ˈnõ.mi ˈɛ/
Did you know?
- If you use chamo-me in a casual Brazilian setting, you may sound unexpectedly formal or even like a character from a historical novel.
- The verb chamo comes from the Latin root for 'calling', which is also the ancestor of the English word 'claim'.
- In Brazil, placing the pronoun before the verb as in me chamo is the standard in spoken language, though traditional grammar rules once forbade starting a sentence with me.
Examples in context
- Meu nome é Carla. Prazer em conhecê-lo.My name is Carla. Pleasure to meet you.
- Tudo bem? Me chamo Fernando. E você?How are you? I'm called Fernando. And you?
- Eu me chamo Luísa. É um prazer estar aqui.I'm called Luísa. It's a pleasure to be here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (meu, nome, é) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chamo-me, me, meu, nome, é, CC BY-SA 4.0.
