Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| как вас зову́т? | kak vas zovút | formal |
| как тебя́ зову́т? | kak tebjá zovút | informal |
Because of the way the phrase is structured, it functions as an impersonal construction where you are essentially asking how a person is called.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "how do they call you?" In the formal version как вас зову́т?, вас is the accusative case of the polite or plural pronoun вы and зовут means "they call".
Which one should you use?
как тебя́ зову́т? is the informal version used when speaking to a child, a peer or someone you know well. как вас зову́т? is the formal version used when speaking to a stranger, an elder, a superior or in a professional setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use the informal как тебя́ зову́т? with friends or children. Use the formal как вас зову́т? in professional settings or when addressing someone you do not know personally.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb зовут is the third-person plural form of звать (to call). In the formal version, the pronoun вас is in the accusative case.
How do you pronounce it?
kak vas zovút
When do people say it?
When someone asks you this question, the standard way to respond is Меня зовут…, which literally means "They call me [Name]".
Did you know?
- During the Soviet era, the use of the informal ты (the root of тебя́) was promoted as a political symbol of comrade-like equality between citizens.
- The verb звать in this phrase is the same word used to physically summon someone or call them over to a location.
- While как вас зову́т? is the standard way to ask a name, Russians often skip the question entirely in social settings and simply introduce themselves first with Меня зовут… to prompt the other person to do the same.
Examples in context
- Извините, как вас зову́т?Izvinite, kak vas zovut?Excuse me, what is your name?
- Подскажите, пожалуйста, как вас зову́т?Podskazhite, pozhaluysta, kak vas zovut?Could you please tell me, what is your name?
Example conversation
Andrey is meeting Olga at a formal business conference.
- Андрей AndreyДобрый день, как вас зову́т?Dobryy den', kak vas zovut?Good afternoon, what is your name?
- Ольга OlgaМеня зовут Ольга.Menya zovut Olga.My name is Olga.
- Андрей AndreyОчень приятно, Ольга.Ochen' priyatno, Olga.Very nice to meet you, Olga.
- Ольга OlgaВзаимно, Андрей.Vzaimno, Andrey.Likewise, Andrey.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what is your name” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
