How to say what is your name in Chinese
"What is your name" in Chinese is 你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shén me míng zi?). It is built from "you are called what name". 你叫什么名字 suits peers, children and casual settings; with an adult you do not know, 请问您贵姓 is the polite form and asks only for the surname.
Ways to say what is your name
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你叫什么名字？ | nǐ jiào shén me míng zi? | what is your name | The default answer. |
| 你叫什么？ | nǐ jiào shén me? | what's your name? | Very casual, with kids or people your own age |
| 你姓什么？ | nǐ xìng shén me? | what's your surname? | Asking only for the surname, neutral, between equals |
| 怎么称呼您？ | zěn me chēng hu nín? | how should I address you? | Polite and natural with adults, at work or in service |
| 请问您贵姓？ | qǐng wèn nín guì xìng? | may I ask your surname? | The most polite form, for elders, clients and first business meetings |
What people say back
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我叫李明 | wǒ jiào lǐ míng | my name is Li Ming |
| 我姓王 | wǒ xìng wáng | my surname is Wang |
| 免贵姓王 | miǎn guì xìng wáng | my surname is Wang (modest) |
Example sentences
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 小朋友，你叫什么名字？ | xiǎo péng you, nǐ jiào shén me míng zi? | What's your name, sweetie? |
| 请问您贵姓？我姓张。 | qǐng wèn nín guì xìng? wǒ xìng zhāng. | May I ask your surname? It's Zhang. |
| 不好意思，怎么称呼您？ | bù hǎo yì si, zěn me chēng hu nín? | Excuse me, how should I address you? |
| 你那只猫叫什么名字？ | nǐ nà zhī māo jiào shén me míng zi? | What's your cat called? |
The characters in 你叫什么名字？
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 你 | nǐ | you |
| 叫 | jiào | to be called |
| 什 | shén | part of 什么, what |
| 么 | me | part of 什么, what |
| 名 | míng | name |
| 字 | zì | part of 名字, name |
Common mistakes
- Answer 您贵姓 with 我姓王, never 我贵姓王: 贵 is an honor you give the other person, never yourself.
- 你叫什么 to an older stranger can sound blunt; use 怎么称呼您 or 请问您贵姓.
- 什么 is shén me: second tone on 什, neutral on 么.
Related
- My name is in Chinese: 我叫李明
- Hello in Chinese: 你好
- Polite phrases in Chinese: 不客气
- How are you in Chinese: 你好吗
- All phrases and words
Frequently asked questions
How do you say what is your name in Chinese?
你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shén me míng zi?), literally "you are called what name". Other ways: 你叫什么？ (nǐ jiào shén me?); 你姓什么？ (nǐ xìng shén me?); 怎么称呼您？ (zěn me chēng hu nín?).
How do you ask someone's name politely in Chinese?
Say 请问您贵姓？ (qǐng wèn nín guì xìng?), "may I ask your surname?", or 怎么称呼您？ (zěn me chēng hu nín?).
What does 贵姓 mean?
贵姓 (guì xìng) is an honorific for someone else's surname, literally "your honorable surname". Never use it about yourself.
How do you answer what is your name in Chinese?
Say 我叫 (wǒ jiào) plus your name, or 我姓 (wǒ xìng) plus your surname if you were asked 您贵姓.
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