épeler votre nom
To say "spell your name" in French, you can say épeler votre nom.
The phrase is used when you need someone to say or write the letters of their name in the correct order.
Which one should you use?
You can be more specific by using épeler votre nom de famille if you specifically want someone to spell their surname rather than their full name.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase épeler votre nom uses the possessive adjective votre to correspond with the formal vous form of address, while épeler ton nom uses the possessive adjective ton to correspond with the informal tu form of address.
Did you know?
- The verb épeler shares a common ancestor with the English word 'spell', both stemming from the Proto-Germanic word for 'story' or 'speech'.
- In French, the word nom can mean either 'name' or 'noun' depending on the context, such as when discussing grammar in a classroom.
- The word nom is an ancient relative of the Greek word 'ónoma', which is the root of the English word 'onomatopoeia'.
Examples in context
- Pouvez-vous épeler votre nom, s'il vous plaît ?Can you spell your name, please?
- Je dois vous demander d'épeler votre nom.I have to ask you to spell your name.
- Veuillez épeler votre nom pour l'enregistrement.Please spell your name for the registration.
Example conversation
At a hotel reception desk.
- EmmaBonjour, puis-je avoir votre passeport ?Hello, may I have your passport?
- HugoOui, le voici.Yes, here it is.
- EmmaMerci. Pourriez-vous épeler votre nom pour moi ?Thank you. Could you spell your name for me?
- HugoBien sûr, c'est H-U-G-O.Of course, it's H-U-G-O.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nom, votre, épeler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
