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

Wie heißen Sie?

vee HYE-sen zee

[vee HYE-sen zee]

💬 Usage Tip: German uses wie "how" here, not was "what": literally "how are you called?". Was heißen Sie? is a common learner slip.

Phrase Breakdown

Wie

[vee]

how

Question word used to ask about amount or manner.

Example

Für wie viele Gäste reservieren Sie?

For how many guests are you reserving?

heißen

[HYE-sen]

are called / are named

Form of heißen meaning to be called or to be named.

Example

Wie heißen Sie auf Deutsch?

What are you called in German?

Sie

[zee]

you (formal)

Formal pronoun Sie used to address one person politely.

Example

Kommen Sie bitte herein.

Please come in.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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