ما اسمك؟
ma ismuka?
The English phrase "what is your name?" is translated into Arabic as ما اسمك؟ (ma ismuka?).
This phrase is used to ask someone for their name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ما اسمك؟ is composed of ما (what), اسم (name) and the suffix -ka (your, masculine).
Which one should you use?
The form ما اسمك؟ (ma ismuka?) is used when asking a man his name, whereas the form ما اسمكِ؟ (ma ismuki?) is used when asking a woman her name.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a female, the masculine form ما اسمك؟ changes to ما اسمكِ؟ (ma ismuki?). In informal speech, the word shu is used to mean "what". Additionally, the term ismik is used to mean "your name" when addressing a female informally.
How do you pronounce it?
ma ismuka?
Did you know?
- While you might expect to use a name alone, in many Arabic cultures, people respond to 'what is your name?' by giving their 'kunya', a title like 'Abu' (father of) followed by their eldest son's name.
- In some dialects, instead of asking ما اسمك؟, people use a phrase that translates to 'Who are you?', which is considered polite rather than aggressive in specific social contexts.
- In formal settings, after someone tells you their name, it is customary to follow up with a compliment about the beauty or meaning of that name.
Examples in context
- مرحبا! ما اسمك؟Hello! What is your name? (to a male)
- شو اسمك؟What is your name? (to a female)
- ما اسمك؟ma ismuka?What is your name?
- يا صديقي، ما اسمك؟ya sadiqi, ma ismuka?My friend, what is your name?
- هل يمكنني أن أعرف ما اسمك؟hal yumkinuni an a'rif ma ismuka?May I know what your name is?
Example conversation
Two students meeting for the first time in a classroom.
- نور Nourمرحباً، ما اسمك؟marhaban, ma ismuka?Hello, what is your name?
- عمر Omarاسمي عمر، وأنتِ؟ismi 'umar, wa anti?My name is Omar, and you?
- نور Nourاسمي نور.ismi nur.My name is Nour.
- عمر Omarتشرفت بمعرفتك يا نور.tasharaftu bima'rifatiki ya nur.Nice to meet you, Nour.
