How to Say "My Name Is" in Chinese (and Ask a Name)

The most natural way to say "my name is" in Chinese is 我叫 (wǒ jiào), literally "I am called", followed by your name.

This guide covers the phrases you need to give your name, ask someone else's, explain how your name is written and introduce yourself in class, at work and on the phone, with audio for each.

Saying it right

• 我 wǒ has the dipping third tone. Before 叫, it's said low and short, without rising back up.
• 叫 jiào has the falling fourth tone. The j is like the "j" in "jeep", and iao sounds like "yow".
• 名字 míngzi ends in a neutral tone: the 字 is light and short, "ming-dz", not "ming-ZEE".

Three ways to give your name

我叫… is the everyday choice, in class, with new friends and at work.

我的名字是… (wǒ de míngzi shì) means "my name is" word for word. It's correct but sounds a little formal or translated.

我姓… (wǒ xìng) gives your family name. Chinese speakers often start with the surname, then the full name:

Asking someone's name

The everyday question is:

With older people, customers or in formal settings, ask for the surname politely. 贵 (guì) means "honorable":

The answer is just the surname: 我姓王 (Wǒ xìng Wáng). Don't use 贵 when talking about yourself. A modest, slightly old-fashioned reply is:

With children, add a friendly particle: 你叫什么名字呀？ (Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi ya?). Using 您贵姓 with a child would sound comically formal.

A full self-introduction

If you have both an English and a Chinese name, you can give both:

You can also tell people what to call you:

Explaining how your name is written

Many characters share a sound, so Chinese speakers often explain which character they mean by naming a common word that contains it. You'll hear this constantly, and it's worth preparing for your own name:

To ask how someone writes their name:

For family names, people often break the character into parts. 张 is described as 弓长张 (gōng cháng Zhāng), "the Zhang made of 弓 and 长", and 李 as 木子李 (mù zǐ Lǐ), "the Li made of 木 and 子". This distinguishes them from other surnames with the same sound, such as 章 Zhāng.

In a Mandarin class

On the first day of class, teachers often ask everyone to introduce themselves. A simple, complete answer gives your name, where you're from and why you're learning:

大家好 (dàjiā hǎo) greets a whole group at once. Swap in your own country: 英国人 (British), 加拿大人 (Canadian), 澳大利亚人 (Australian).

Introducing someone else

In formal settings, introduce people by surname and title: 这位是王老师 (Zhè wèi shì Wáng lǎoshī), "This is Teacher Wang." 位 is a polite measure word for people.

At work

A business introduction usually includes your company or role and your surname:

Offer and receive business cards with both hands, and take a moment to read the card before putting it away. It shows you've noted the person's name.

On the phone

On the phone, people use 我是 because the other person is expecting someone:

喂 is said with a rising tone (wéi) when answering the phone.

A short practice dialogue

呢 (ne) turns "and you?" into a natural follow-up question without repeating the whole sentence.

Writing your name in Chinese

To say your English name, you need its Chinese form first. Common names have a standard transliteration: Emily is 艾米丽, Michael is 迈克尔. Find yours with the free name converter.

A transliteration always sounds foreign to Chinese speakers. If you'd like a name that reads as Chinese, with a family name and a meaningful given name, read how to choose a Chinese name, try the Chinese name generator or get a Chinese name chosen for you.

Common mistakes

• Translating word for word. Translation apps often turn "What is your name?" into 你的名字是什么？. It's understandable, but native speakers almost always say 你叫什么名字？ instead.
• Using 贵 about yourself. 我贵姓王 is wrong; 贵 is only for the other person.
• Giving only your given name in formal settings. At work, start with your surname or full name.
• Stressing every syllable. Keep the 字 in 名字 light; it makes you sound much more natural.

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