Everyday essentials
How to say What's your name in Chinese
你叫什么名字
nǐ jiào shénme míngzi
Literally: you · called · what · name
你叫什么名字 (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi) is “what’s your name,” literally “you’re called what name.” It’s the standard, friendly way to ask. Note 名字 ends on a neutral zi: míngzi.
Other ways to say it
- 您贵姓
nín guìxìng
may I ask your surname?
Very polite — literally “your honorable surname?” Answer with 我姓… (“my surname is…”).
- 怎么称呼你
zěnme chēnghu nǐ
how should I address you?
Polite and a little formal — asks what to call someone, not just their name.
In a sentence
你叫什么名字？我叫李明。
Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? Wǒ jiào Lǐ Míng.
What’s your name? My name is Li Ming.
How do you say "What's your name" in Chinese?
To ask “what’s your name” in Chinese, say 你叫什么名字 (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi). More politely, ask 您贵姓 (nín guìxìng), “may I ask your surname?”
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