Quick answer: 我叫 + your name
我叫 (wǒ jiào) literally means “I am called.” Add the name after it: 我叫李明 (Wǒ jiào Lǐ Míng). This is the most common everyday way to say “my name is …”. If you only need to give your family name, say 我姓李 (Wǒ xìng Lǐ), meaning “my surname is Li.”
Chinese name order normally puts the surname before the given name. 李明 is surname 李 plus given name 明. That order should remain intact in Chinese, even when an English-language setting writes the same person’s name in a different order.
| Chinese | Pinyin | What it gives | Best context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我叫 + name | wǒ jiào + name | Your full preferred name | Standard everyday introduction; safe for most learners. |
| 我姓 + surname | wǒ xìng + surname | Your surname or family name | Useful when forms or a formal conversation ask for the surname. |
| 我的名字叫 + name | wǒ de míngzi jiào + name | “My name is …” in an explicit sentence | Clear for beginners, explanations and written practice. |
| 我是 + name | wǒ shì + name | “I am …” | Common for identity statements, but less precise as a name formula when the following word is not a name. |
| 大家都叫我 + name | dàjiā dōu jiào wǒ + name | “Everyone calls me …” | Good for a nickname or preferred short name after the formal introduction. |
| 请问您贵姓？ | qǐngwèn nín guìxìng? | Asks for another person’s surname politely | Formal or traditional courtesy; the answer is usually 我姓 + surname. |
Say the name in Chinese order
If your name is Li Ming in Chinese, introduce it as 我叫李明. If you come from an English-speaking context and normally write “Ming Li,” do not switch the two parts without checking which one is the surname. Family-name and given-name fields in official records have specific meanings, so the Chinese phrase should not be built from the English display order by habit.
Formal introductions
我叫 + name is neutral and works in many formal situations. 我的名字叫 + name is more explicit and can sound slightly explanatory, which is useful when teaching or correcting a spelling. In a very formal introduction, a full title, organisation or relationship may be added around the name, but the basic name formula remains clear.
Preferred name, legal name and nickname
A person may have a legal Chinese name, a preferred Chinese name, an English name and a nickname. Ask which form to use rather than choosing for them. After 我叫 + legal or preferred name, you can add 大家都叫我 + nickname to explain how people address you. Do not assume that every English name has one standard Chinese translation.
Pronunciation and tones
叫 is jiào, with a fourth tone. 姓 is xìng, also fourth tone. 名字 is míngzi, with the second syllable often light. Tone marks matter for learning, but names also have established readings and regional pronunciations. When introducing a real person, use the pronunciation that person provides.
Written and design use
These are sentence patterns, not short mottoes. If you use 我叫 + name on a card, name badge or artwork, keep the name accurate and consistent with the person’s preferred written form. A standalone 我叫 without a name is incomplete. Check simplified and traditional forms where they differ and avoid mixing scripts.
How to ask for the other person’s name
After giving your own name, you can ask 你叫什么名字？ in an everyday situation or 请问您贵姓？ when you mainly need the surname respectfully. If the other person replies with 我姓王, you can say 王先生 or 王女士 only when you know which title and pronunciation are appropriate. A surname is not automatically a complete preferred name.
English display order versus Chinese order
An English-language form may label the family name and given name in a different order, and some people choose an English display name for convenience. When you introduce yourself in Chinese, keep the Chinese phrase aligned with the correct surname and given-name elements. For example, if 李明 is the Chinese name, 我叫李明 is clear. If you also use an English name, add it separately rather than replacing the surname position without explanation.
Common mistakes
- Putting the given name before the surname in Chinese order.
- Using 我姓 with a full name instead of only the surname.
- Assuming 我是 is always the best translation of “my name is.”
- Inventing a Chinese name without asking the person’s preferred form.
- Mixing a legal name, nickname and English display order in one introduction.