How to Say ‘What is your name?’ in German
Wie heißen Sie?
VEE HIY-sen zee
[VEE HIY-sen zee]
💬 Usage Tip: Sie takes the same verb form as sie (they), so it's heißen Sie, not heißt Sie or heißt du. The same pattern shows up in Kommen Sie? and Wo wohnen Sie?.
🇩🇪 In Germany: Use this with adults you don't know well. With children, friends, or people who have switched to du, Wie heißt du? is the natural version.
Phrase Breakdown
Wie
[VEE]
How
Used to inquire about the manner or process of something.
Frage: Wie hast du das gemacht?
Question: How did you do that?
heißen
[HIY-sen]
are called
A term used to ask what name someone goes by.
Wie heißen Sie?
What is your name?
Sie
[zee]
you
Refers to a formal address for a person being spoken to.
Sie sind sehr freundlich.
You are very nice.
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