What does it mean word for word?
The word for name is onamae, where the o is an honorific prefix added to namae to show respect to the listener.
Which one should you use?
The formal version is お名前は何ですか？, while the informal version is 君の名前は何？ There is also a very casual, shortened form, 名前は？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お名前は何ですか？ is a polite way to ask for someone's name and is suitable for strangers or acquaintances. In contrast, 君の名前は何？ is an informal way to ask and the shortened 名前は？ is very casual, used only with people of equal or lower social status or children.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase お名前は何ですか？, the particle wa marks the topic of the sentence and the ka at the end functions as a question mark.
How do you pronounce it?
onamae wa nan desu ka?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating "your" literally as あなたの in this context. Using anata can sound blunt or even confrontational in Japanese. It is more natural to use the honorific o in onamae instead.
Did you know?
- In historical Japan, commoners often did not have surnames, so asking for a 'name' would only yield a given name. Surnames became mandatory for all citizens only during the Meiji era in the late 19th century.
- While お名前 means 'name', the word 名 ('na') is also the root for 名刺 ('meishi'), which means 'business card'. In Japan, the exchange of these cards is a ritualized process essential for establishing social hierarchy.
- When introducing themselves after being asked their name, Japanese people may use the word 申します ('moushimasu') instead of です. This is a humble form of 'to say' that lowers the speaker's status to show respect to the listener.
Examples in context
- お名前は何ですか？O-namae wa nan desu ka?What is your name?
- 失礼ですが、お名前は何ですか？Shitsurei desu ga, o-namae wa nan desu ka?Excuse me, but what is your name?
- すみません、お名前は何ですか？Sumimasen, o-namae wa nan desu ka?Excuse me, what is your name?
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a networking event.
- 結衣 Yuiこんにちは。お名前は何ですか？Konnichiwa. O-namae wa nan desu ka?Hello. What is your name?
- 健太 Kenta美咲です。よろしくお願いします。Misaki desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I'm Misaki. Nice to meet you.
- 結衣 Yui私は蓮です。こちらこそ。Watashi wa Ren desu. Kochira koso.I am Ren. Nice to meet you too.
- 健太 Kenta蓮さん、よろしくお願いします。Ren-san, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Ren, it's a pleasure to meet you.
