benim adım
/benim adɯm/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my name is" is translated into Turkish as benim adım. Wiktionary also lists benim ismim.
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| benim adım | /benim adɯm/ (from spelling rules) |
| benim ismim | /benim ismim/ (from spelling rules) |
These phrases are used to identify yourself to others.
What does it mean word for word?
The word adım is a combination of ad meaning name and the first-person singular possessive suffix -ım meaning my.
Which one should you use?
Benim adım is slightly more common in everyday speech, while benim ismim is often used in more formal or official contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /benim adɯm/. The /b/ is like the b in a[b]out, /n/ is like the n in [n]ot, /i/ is like the ee in cr[ee]k, /m/ is like the m in [m]uch and /ɯ/ is somewhat like the o in ribb[o]n.
When do people say it?
After stating your name, a common polite response is to say Tanıştığıma memnun oldum, which means "Nice to meet you."
Did you know?
- The word ad is also used in Turkish to describe a 'step' taken while walking. This means benim adım can technically be read as 'my step' depending on the context.
- In very formal settings or official documents, the phrase isim is used because it is an Arabic loanword, whereas ad is a native Turkic word.
- In very casual Turkish conversations, people often drop benim and simply say adım… to introduce themselves. This is because the possessive suffix -ım already tells the listener that the name belongs to the speaker.
Examples in context
- Benim adım da Tom.My name is Tom, too.This sentence is useful for showing how to say "My name is Tom, too" using benim adım.Tatoeba #3761986 by duran, translation #3819161 by CK
- Benim adım Xiao Yu.My name is Xiao Yu.This sentence is useful for a basic introduction using benim adım.Tatoeba #8203490 by deyta, translation #7242769 by RoyalBee
- Benim adım hiç kimse.My name is Nobody.This sentence is useful for the phrase "My name is Nobody" using benim adım.Tatoeba #4809232 by deyta, translation #3104209 by mhenderson5
- Adım AyşeMy name is Ayşe.
- Benim adım AhmetMy name is Ahmet.
- Adım MehmetMy name is Mehmet.
- 170 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are introducing themselves at a networking event.
- ZeynepMerhaba, benim adım Zeynep.Hello, my name is Zeynep.
- CanMemnun oldum Zeynep, benim adım Can.Nice to meet you Zeynep, my name is Can.
- ZeynepBen de memnun oldum Can.Nice to meet you too, Can.
- CanTanıştığımıza çok sevindim.I am very glad we met.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations and entries benim adım, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adım, benim, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
