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

Comment vous appelez-vous ?

koh-mahn voo ah-play voo

[koh-mahn voo ah-play voo]

💬 Usage Tip: Word for word it means "how do you call yourself?". With a friend or a child, say Tu t'appelles comment ?.

Phrase Breakdown

Comment vous

koh-mahn voo

How you

The start of the question. 'Comment' sounds like 'ko-mahn', with a silent 't' here.

Example

Comment vous sentez-vous ?

How do you feel?

Words in this phrase

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

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

appelez-vous ?

ah-play voo

call yourself?

Link it to 'vous' before it: 'voo-za-play-voo'. The 's' of 'vous' sounds like 'z'.

Example

Comment vous appelez-vous ? Je m'appelle Paul.

What is your name? My name is Paul.

Words in this phrase

appelez

[ah-play]

call

Formal or plural command form of 'appeler.'

Example

Appelez la police tout de suite.

Call the police right away.

-vous

[voo]

yourself

The pronoun attached to the imperative, meaning the action is done to yourself.

Example

Dans Présentez-vous, -vous montre qu'il faut parler de soi.

In Présentez-vous, -vous shows that you must speak about yourself.

Related guides

How to Learn to Speak French, Not Just Read ItWhy reading French doesn't make you speak it, and a practical way to learn to speak French: real conversations, speaking out loud from day one, and practice with people.“Do You Speak English?” in French, and What to Say When You Don't Speak FrenchHow to say “do you speak English?” in French politely, what you'll hear back, and the phrases for “I don't speak French” and “can you repeat that?”, with audio.

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