Chinese phrases
How to say what is your name in Chinese
To ask “What is your name?” in Chinese, say 你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shén me míng zi), literally “you are called what name?” To someone older, ask 您贵姓？ (nín guì xìng).
你叫什么名字
what’s your name?
The second syllables of 什么 and 名字 are light: shén me, míng zi.
Ways to say what is your name
你叫什么名字
Everydaywhat’s your name?
The standard question. Right with people your age, classmates and children.
你叫什么
With friendswhat are you called?
Shorter and casual. Common among young people.
您贵姓
Formalmay I ask your family name?
To someone older, or at work. It asks only for the family name.
怎么称呼您
Formalhow should I address you?
Polite and very common with a new colleague, a client or a landlord. People answer with the name they want you to use.
请问您是哪位
On the phonemay I ask who’s calling?
On the phone, when you don’t know who is calling.
How to answer
我叫里昂
my name is Leon
我叫 and your full name or your given name. The answer to 你叫什么名字.
我姓王
my family name is Wang
The answer to 您贵姓. 姓 takes only the family name.
免贵姓王
my family name is Wang (modest)
A modest answer to 您贵姓, literally “no need for ‘honourable’.” Older people and business contacts use it.
叫我里昂就行
just call me Leon
To keep it relaxed, for example after 怎么称呼您.
你呢
and you?
Ask back after you give your name.
Common mistakes
Asking 你的名字是什么
It’s correct grammar, but it sounds translated from English. Ask 你叫什么名字.
Using 贵 about yourself
贵 is an honour you give the other person. Answer 您贵姓 with 我姓王 or 免贵姓王.
Using the wrong part of a name
Chinese names put the family name first. In 王小明, the family name is 王, so he is 王先生, not “Mr. Xiaoming.” His friends call him 小明.
At a language exchange
你好！你叫什么名字？
Qiqi: Hi! What’s your name?
我叫里昂。你呢？
Leon: I’m Leon. And you?
我叫琦琦。很高兴认识你！
Qiqi: I’m Qiqi. Nice to meet you!
