How do you say "What is it called? (What's your name?)" in Japanese?

"What is it called? (What's your name?)" in Japanese is "なんていうの？". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘What is it called? (What's your name?)’ in Japanese

Q: What does "なんていうの？" mean in English?

"なんていうの？" means "What is it called? (What's your name?)" in English. Usage tip: Asking someone’s name with [なんていうの？] is casual and a bit “cute,” but can sound blunt with strangers. Safer: [おなまえは？]

なんていうの？

nan te iu n

[nahn teh ee-oo noh]

💬 Usage Tip: Asking someone’s name with [なんていうの？] is casual and a bit “cute,” but can sound blunt with strangers. Safer: [おなまえは？]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Among new friends at a club, casual phrasing is common, but with seniors/older members, switch to polite forms sooner.

Phrase Breakdown

なん

nan

[nahn]

what; (in this phrase) what ... called

Together with ていう, it makes なんていうの？ = “What do you call it?” Often used when asking someone’s name or how to say a word.

Example

この漢字、なんていうの？

How do you read/call this kanji?

て

[teh]

and; as (part of the fixed phrase なんて)

Forms なんて, which attaches to いう in なんていうの？.

Example

あの人の名前、なんていうの？

What’s that person’s name?

いう

[ee-oo]

to say; to call; to be named

In this set question, いう means “to be called/named.”

Example

この店、なんていうの？

What’s this shop called?

の

[noh]

(explanatory) no; nominalizer

Softens and explains the question: なんていうの？ feels natural and conversational.

Example

それ、なんていうの？教えて。

What do you call that? Tell me.

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