What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "How do you call yourself?" The word cómo means "how" and the word te acts as a reflexive pronoun referring to the person being addressed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form ¿Cómo te llamas? uses the informal "tú" conjugation and is used with peers, children or people you know well. You should use ¿Cómo se llama usted? instead of ¿Cómo te llamas? when speaking to someone in a formal context, such as a stranger in a professional setting or an elder.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often attempt to translate "What is your name?" literally as ¿Cuál es tu nombre? While this is grammatically correct, it sounds much less natural in spoken Spanish than ¿Cómo te llamas?
When do people say it?
The standard way to respond to this question is by using the reflexive form Me llamo…, which means "I call myself…"
Did you know?
- When using the formal ¿Cómo se llama usted?, the word 'usted' is actually a contraction of the respectful phrase 'vuestra merced', meaning 'your mercy'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to ask ¿Cómo te llamas? while simultaneously offering a handshake or a light kiss on the cheek, depending on the gender and region.
- In some highly formal Spanish social circles, it is still considered more polite to ask for a person's 'apellido' (surname) than their first name.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo te llamas?Hello, what is your name?
- ¡Buenos días! ¿Cómo te llamas?Good morning! What is your name?
- Oye, disculpa, ¿cómo te llamas?Hey, sorry, what is your name?
- ¡Hola! Soy Laura. ¿Y tú, cómo te llamas?Hi! I'm Laura. And you, what is your name?
- ¿Te importaría decirme cómo te llamas?Would you mind telling me your name?
- Buenos días, ¿cómo se llama usted?Good morning, what is your name?
- Permítame preguntarle, ¿cómo se llama usted?May I ask, what is your name?
- Disculpe, ¿cómo se llama usted?Excuse me, what is your name?
- Buenos días, señor González. ¿Cómo se llama usted?Good morning, Mr. González. What is your name?
- ¿Podría decirme cómo se llama usted?Could you tell me your name?
- ¿Cómo te llamas?What is your name?
- Perdón, ¿cómo te llamas?Excuse me, what is your name?
Example conversation
María and Alejandro meet at a party.
- MaríaHola, ¿cómo te llamas?Hello, what is your name?
- AlejandroMe llamo Alejandro, ¿y tú?My name is Alejandro, and you?
- MaríaYo soy María.I am María.
- AlejandroMucho gusto, María.Nice to meet you, María.
