How to Say ‘What is your name?’ in Simplified Chinese
你叫什么名字？
nǐ jiào shén me míng zì
[nee jiào shuhn-muh míng zì]
💬 Usage Tip: The question word sits where the answer goes: 你叫什么名字？ is answered with 我叫…. There's no need to move it to the front as in English.
🇨🇳 In China: With elders or in formal settings, people politely ask 您贵姓？ "what is your surname?" instead.
Phrase Breakdown
你叫什么
nǐ jiào shén me
what are you called
你 (nǐ) means 'you', 叫 (jiào) means 'to be called', and 什么 (shénme) means 'what'. The 么 is light and short.
这个叫什么？
What is this called?
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
The informal or neutral word for “you,” suitable for peers or casual conversation.
如果对方和你年纪差不多，可以说“认识你”。
If the other person is about your age, you can say “nice to meet you” with 你.
叫
jiào
[jiào]
to be called
Used to indicate someone's name.
我叫王明。
I am called Wang Ming.
什么
shén me
[shuhn-muh]
what
A question word used to ask about things, details, or specific information.
你想知道什么时候可以取消，就先问“什么”规则。
If you want to know when you can cancel, first ask what the rules are.
名字？
míng zì
name?
名字 (míngzi) means 'name'. 字 is said lightly, in the neutral tone.
我的名字是安娜。
My name is Anna.
Words in this phrase
名字
míng zì
[míng zì]
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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