How to Say ‘What is your name?’ in Simplified Chinese
你叫什么名字？
nǐ jiào shén me míng zì
[nee jyaow shuhn muh ming dzuh]
💬 Usage Tip: The question word 什么 sits in the same spot as the answer would: 你叫什么名字 becomes 我叫小明 "I'm called Xiaoming".
🇨🇳 In China: This is fine among peers or with kids, but with older people or in business it's politer to ask 您贵姓 "may I ask your surname?".
Phrase Breakdown
你叫
nǐ jiào
you are called
叫 (jiào) means 'to be called.' 你 (nǐ) means 'you.'
我叫小明。
My name is Xiaoming.
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
The basic singular word for 'you' in Chinese.
我问邻居你今天忙吗。
I ask my neighbor, 'Are you busy today?'
叫
jiào
[jyaow]
to be called
Used to identify oneself by name.
我叫李华，你叫什么名字？
I am called Li Hua, what is your name?
什么名字？
shén me míng zì
what name?
什么 (shénme) means 'what.' 名字 (míngzi) means 'name.' Say 么 and 字 lightly.
他叫什么名字？
What's his name?
Words in this phrase
什么
shén me
[shuhn muh]
what
A question word used to inquire.
你的电话号码是什么？
What is your phone number?
名字
míng zì
[ming dzuh]
name
A word by which a person or thing is known.
你的名字是什么？
What is your name?
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