PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent
❓📛🎩

How to Say ‘What is your name? (formal)’ in French

Comment vous appelez-vous ?

koh-mahn voo ah-pluh-lay voo

[koh-mahn voo ah-pluh-lay voo]

💬 Usage Tip: The s of vous joins onto appelez, so it sounds like (voo-zah-play-voo).

Phrase Breakdown

Comment

[koh-mahn]

How

Used to ask about the manner or way in which something is done.

Example

Explique-moi 'comment' faire cela.

Explain to me 'how' to do that.

vous appelez-vous ?

voo ah-pluh-lay voo

are you called? (formal)

Make the liaison: 'voo-zah-play-VOO'. The S of 'vous' sounds like Z before the vowel. This is the polite form.

Example

Madame, vous appelez-vous Dupont ?

Madam, is your name Dupont?

Words in this phrase

vous

[voo]

yourself

Reflexive pronoun used with the verb "se sentir" meaning "to feel."

Example

Dans Vous vous sentiriez, vous fait partie du verbe pronominal.

In "Vous vous sentiriez," the second "vous" is part of the reflexive verb.

appelez

[ah-pluh-lay]

are called / are named

From the reflexive verb 's'appeler', used to ask or say someone's name.

Example

Vous vous appelez Marie, c'est bien ça ?

Your name is Marie, is that right?

-vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Comment allez-vous ?

How are you?

Related guides

Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.Common French Phrases You'll Use Every Day (with Native Audio)The common French phrases and expressions people actually use every day: greetings, polite essentials, reactions and casual slang, with meanings and native audio.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer