你叫什么名字？
nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
The English phrase "what is your name?" is translated into Chinese as 你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?)
你叫什么名字？ is used to ask someone how they are called. When responding to this question, the most natural way to answer is to start with 我叫…, meaning "I am called…".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 你叫什么名字？ literally translates to "You are called what name?" The verb 叫 (jiào) functions here as "to be called" rather than the active "to call" used in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the question more polite or respectful, you can replace 你 (nǐ) with 您 (nín).
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
When do people say it?
In formal settings or when meeting someone of higher status, it is more polite to ask 你贵姓？, which focuses only on their surname, rather than asking for their full name.
Did you know?
- The character 贵 (guì) in 你贵姓？ literally means 'expensive' or 'noble'. By using it, you are essentially calling the other person's surname 'noble'.
- When responding to 你叫什么名字？, a person might use the phrase 在下 (zàixià) instead of 我 (wǒ) in historical dramas. This translates to 'the one below' to show extreme humility.
- In China, a person's surname comes first in a full name, which is the opposite of the English convention. When you answer the question, you should provide your family name before your given name.
Examples in context
- 你叫什么名字？Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?What is your name?
- 请问，你叫什么名字？Qǐngwèn, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?Excuse me, what is your name?
- 小朋友，你叫什么名字？Xiǎopéngyǒu, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?Little one, what is your name?
Example conversation
Two people meeting for the first time at a social gathering.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你好，你叫什么名字？Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?Hello, what is your name?
- 梓涵 Zihan我叫梓涵。Wǒ jiào Zǐhán.My name is Zihan.
- 志强 Zhiqiang很高兴认识你，梓涵。Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, Zǐhán.Nice to meet you, Zihan.
- 梓涵 Zihan我也很高兴认识你，志强。Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, Zhìqiáng.Nice to meet you too, Zhiqiang.
