What does it mean word for word?
The phrase comment s'appelle-t-il ? literally translates to 'how calls himself he?'
Which one should you use?
While comment s'appelle-t-il ? is a standard way to ask the question, quel est son nom ? provides a more direct way to say 'what is his name?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Comment s'appelle-t-il ? is a formal way to ask 'How is he called?' Other formal options include Pourriez-vous me donner son nom, s'il vous plaît ? ('Could you give me his name, please?') and Puis-je connaître son nom, s'il vous plaît ? ('May I know his name, please?'). In informal spoken French, you can use Comment il s'appelle ? or il s'appelle comment ?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase comment s'appelle-t-il ?, the '-t-' is a phonetic insertion used to avoid two vowel sounds clashing. It has no meaning of its own. If you are asking about a female person, use the pronoun Elle instead.
Did you know?
- In many French-speaking regions, particularly in parts of Africa, the distinction between quel est son nom ? and comment s'appelle-t-il ? can follow different social hierarchies than in France.
- While s'appeler means 'to be called', it is a reflexive verb. This means in French, you do not 'have' a name, you 'call yourself' a name.
- The word nom used in quel est son nom ? can mean either a full name or specifically a surname. To ask for a first name, you must use the specific word prénom.
Examples in context
- Comment s'appelle-t-il ? Je souhaite prendre contact avec lui.What is his name? I'd like to get in touch with him.
- Pourriez-vous me donner son nom, s'il vous plaît ? Mon enfant a une question à lui poser.Could you give me his name, please? My child has a question for him.
- Comment il s'appelle ? Je ne me souviens plus de son prénom.What is his name? I don't remember his first name.
- Dites-moi, comment s'appelle-t-il ?Tell me, what is his name?
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about a new neighbor.
- HugoIl est très sympathique. Comment s'appelle-t-il ?He is very nice. What is his name?
- ManonIl s'appelle Thomas.His name is Thomas.
- HugoAh, d'accord, merci Manon.Ah, okay, thanks Manon.
- ManonDe rien, Hugo.You're welcome, Hugo.
