What does it mean word for word?
The word mo is a possessive pronoun used to address someone informally.
Which one should you use?
Ano ang pangalan mo? is used with peers, children or people you are close to, whereas Ano po ang pangalan ninyo? is used for formal or respectful situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ano ang pangalan mo? is the informal way to ask 'What is your name?' To be polite or show respect to an elder or person in authority, use Ano po ang pangalan ninyo? instead of the default form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word pangalan is a noun that remains the same regardless of whether you are asking about one person or multiple people. The pronoun mo is the informal singular possessive form of 'you'. The pronoun ninyo is used as the polite singular possessive or the plural possessive form of 'you'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔaˈno ʔaŋ paˈŋalan mo/
Did you know?
- The word ano is often used as a placeholder word in conversation when a speaker forgets a name or a specific noun, similar to saying 'what-cha-ma-call-it' in English.
- While ninyo is used in the formal Ano po ang pangalan ninyo?, it is technically the plural form of 'you', meaning the speaker is addressing a single person as if they were a group to show high respect.
- In many Filipino cultures, instead of asking Ano ang pangalan mo?, people often ask 'What is your nickname?' or 'What do people call you?' This is because formal names are often seen as too stiff for social bonding.
Examples in context
- Magandang umaga! Ano po ang pangalan ninyo?Good morning! What is your name?
- Kumusta? Ano ang pangalan mo?Hi! What is your name?
- Excuse me, ano ang pangalan mo?Excuse me, what is your name?
Example conversation
Juan meets Christina for the first time at a party.
- JuanKumusta! Ano ang pangalan mo?Hi! What is your name?
- ChristinaAko si Christina. Ikaw?I am Christina. And you?
- JuanAko naman si Juan.I am Juan.
- ChristinaIkinagagalak kitang makilala, Juan.Nice to meet you, Juan.
