vad heter du?
The English phrase "what is your name?" is translated into Swedish as vad heter du?
This phrase is used to ask someone what they are called. When someone asks you this, the standard way to respond is Jag heter [name], which means "I am called [name]".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase vad heter du? literally translates to "what are you called?"
Which one should you use?
While Vad är ditt namn? is grammatically correct, Vad heter du? is the much more natural and common way to ask for someone's name in Swedish.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask the question to more than one person or to use a formal tone, use vad heter ni? instead of vad heter du?
Did you know?
- In Sweden, the formal ni was widely replaced by the informal du during a social movement in the late 1960s called 'du-reformen'.
- The pronoun du in the phrase is a direct relative of the archaic English word 'thou'.
- When introducing themselves after being asked vad heter du?, Swedes often use the phrase Trevligt att träffas, which means 'nice to meet you'.
Examples in context
- Hej! Vad heter du?Hello! What is your name?
- Ursäkta, vad är ert namn?Excuse me, what is your name?
- Vad heter du?What is your name?
Example conversation
Two people meeting at a language school.
- ErikHej, jag är Erik. Vad heter du?Hi, I am Erik. What is your name?
- AliceJag heter Alice.My name is Alice.
- ErikTrevligt att träffas, Alice.Nice to meet you, Alice.
- AliceDetsamma, Erik.Likewise, Erik.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, vad, CC BY-SA 4.0.
