あなたの名前
anata no namae
The English phrase "your name" is translated into Japanese as あなたの名前 (anata no namae).
あなたの名前 is used to refer to the name of the person being spoken to. However, using this phrase can sound confrontational or overly direct in Japanese. It is often better to omit the word "your" entirely if the context is clear.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of anata (you), the possessive particle no (of) and namae (name).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In polite or formal conversation, it is much more natural to use the form お名前.
How do you pronounce it?
anata no namae
Did you know?
- In Japan, the most natural way to ask for someone's name is to avoid the word 'you' and the word 'name' entirely, instead asking どちら様ですか which literally means 'which honorable person are you'.
- In ancient Japan, commoners often did not have surnames, meaning a phrase like your name would have only applied to the nobility and samurai class.
- In some anime or highly stylized media, using 'anata' to mean 'your' can signal a very specific, often romantic, relationship between characters.
Examples in context
- あなたの名前は？What is your name?This sentence is useful for asking what someone's name is.Tatoeba #5061 by bunbuku, translation #70623 by frpzzd
- あなたの名前を入れて。Enter your name.This sentence is useful for a command to enter one's name.Tatoeba #11957951 by small_snow, translation #10094292 by ddnktr
- あなたの名前はトムなの？Is your name Tom?This sentence is useful for asking if a person's name is Tom.Tatoeba #8689054 by small_snow, translation #3405320 by CK
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are meeting for the first time at a party.
- 蓮 Renすみません、あなたの名前を教えてください。Sumimasen, anata no namae o oshiete kudasai.Excuse me, please tell me your name.
- 結衣 Yui結衣です。よろしくお願いします。Yui desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I'm Yui. Nice to meet you.
- 蓮 Ren僕は蓮です。よろしくお願いします。Boku wa Ren desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I'm Ren. Nice to meet you.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さん、いい名前ですね。Ren-san, ii namae desu ne.Ren, that's a nice name.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
