How to Say "What’s Your Name?" in Chinese

When learning a new language, knowing how to ask for someone's name is the first step towards effective communication. In Chinese, there are a few different ways to ask for a name, and choosing the right expression depends on your relationship with the person and the formality of the situation. Today, we'll learn how to confidently and appropriately ask for someone's name in Chinese.

Essential Ways to Ask for a Name

1. 你叫什么名字？ (Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) – The Most Common and Direct Way

Meaning: What is your name?
Usage: This is the standard and most common way to ask for a name, and it's pretty straightforward. It's suitable for most informal and semi-formal settings.
Example: “你好，你叫什么名字？” (Hello, what's your name?)

2. 您贵姓？ (Nín guìxìng?) – The Most Polite and Formal Way (Asking for Surname)

Meaning: What is your honourable surname?
Usage: "您" (Nín) is the polite or respectful form of "你" (Nǐ - you), and "贵姓" (guìxìng) is the polite form of "姓氏" (xìngshì - surname). This phrase asks for the other person's surname and is quite formal and polite, often used when you're meeting someone for the first time, in business contexts, or when addressing elders or strangers.
Example: “您好，请问您贵姓？” (Hello, may I ask your surname?)
How to answer: “我姓王。” (Wǒ xìng Wáng. - My surname is Wang.) or “免贵姓王。” (Miǎn guì xìng Wáng. - My humble surname is Wang.)

3. 你怎么称呼？ (Nǐ zěnme chēnghu?) – Asking How to Address Someone

Meaning: How should I address you?
Usage: This phrase is more about asking how the other person prefers to be addressed, which could be their full name, surname plus title, nickname, etc. It's handy when you're not sure how they prefer to be called.
Example: “你好，我叫李明，你呢？你怎么称呼？” (Hello, my name is Li Ming, and you? How should I address you?)

4. 您怎么称呼？ (Nín zěnme chēnghu?) – Polite Way to Ask How to Address Someone

Meaning: How should I address you (polite)?
Usage: The polite use of "您" (Nín) makes this phrase more formal and respectful.
Example: “您好，我是新来的小张，请问您怎么称呼？” (Hello, I'm Xiao Zhang, the newcomer. May I ask how I should address you?)

Other Ways to Ask (Less Common / Specific Contexts)

5. 你的名字是？ (Nǐ de míngzi shì?) – Short and Direct (Colloquial)

Meaning: Your name is?
Usage: It's more colloquial, usually used when the conversation has been ongoing for a while and the atmosphere is relaxed.
Example: “聊了半天，你的名字是？” (We've been chatting for a while, what's your name?)

6. 你的大名？ (Nǐ de dàmíng?) – Playful and Intimate

Meaning: Your great name? (Playful)
Usage: "大名" (dàmíng) is a playful or endearing term for "name," and has an intimate or joking feel to it. Only really for very close mates.
Example: “嘿，你的大名是什么来着？” (Hey, what was your full name again?)

How to Answer "What's Your Name?"

我叫 [Your Name]. (Wǒ jiào [nǐ de míngzi].) – My name is [Your Name].
- Example: “我叫李华。” (My name is Li Hua.)
我姓. (Wǒ xìng [nǐ de xìngshì].) – My surname is.
- Example: “我姓张。” (My surname is Zhang.)
我是 [Your Name/Nickname]. (Wǒ shì [nǐ de míngzi].) – I am [Your Name/Nickname].
- Example: “我是小王。” (I'm Xiao Wang.)

Getting across these different ways to ask and answer names will make you more confident and comfortable in Chinese social situations, making it easier to strike up new conversations!