Everyday Chinese phrase
What is your name in Chinese: 你叫什么名字？
你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) is the common everyday way to ask someone’s name. 您贵姓？ is a respectful alternative when you mainly need the surname.
Quick answer: 你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) is the common question for “What is your name?” 您贵姓？ respectfully asks for the surname.
The question uses 你 (you), 叫 (to be called), 什么 (what), 名字 (name) and a question particle or rising intonation. A natural answer is 我叫 + name, for example 我叫李明 (wǒ jiào Lǐ Míng), “My name is Li Ming.” The complete phrase is useful even though a simple self-introduction can be shorter in conversation.
你叫什么名字？ and 你贵姓？
你叫什么名字？ asks for a complete name and is normal in informal, student and everyday situations. 您贵姓？ (nín guìxìng?) is a polite formula asking for the surname. It uses 您 for respect and 贵 in the traditional polite expression. It can sound more formal than asking for a full name.
How to answer
我叫李明 (wǒ jiào Lǐ Míng) means “I am called Li Ming.” 我姓李 (wǒ xìng Lǐ) means “My surname is Li.” If someone asks 您贵姓？, the short answer 我姓李 is natural. For a full name, the surname normally comes first in Chinese order: 李明 is surname 李 plus given name 明.
Where the name comes from
Chinese names and English names do not map automatically. A person may transliterate an English name, choose a Chinese name with a similar sound, choose a meaning-based name or already have a legally registered Chinese form. If you are asking about someone’s preferred Chinese name, listen and use the form they provide rather than inventing one.
Pronunciation and formality
名字 is pronounced míngzi, with 子 often light. 叫 is jiào and 姓 is xìng. Use 你 for a familiar or neutral situation and 您 when the relationship calls for extra respect. Adding 请问 before the question, as in 请问你叫什么名字？, can make the request more polite.
Written form
你叫什么名字？ is written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese. 您贵姓？ is also the same. The question mark is used in modern written Chinese. Spoken Mandarin can use a question particle or intonation, so punctuation is a writing convention rather than a separate sound.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the family name comes last in Chinese order.
- Answering 您贵姓？ with a full given name but not stating the surname.
- Using 您 with close friends or children when 你 would sound more natural.
- Inventing a Chinese name for someone instead of asking which form they use.
Design and learning use
This is a conversational phrase rather than a short calligraphic motto. If it appears in learning material, keep the punctuation and the question form complete. For a personal card, 我叫 + the person’s name is usually clearer than extracting 名字 from the question.
What is your name in Chinese questions
How do you ask what is your name in Chinese?
你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) is the common everyday question. 请问你叫什么名字？ is more polite, while 您贵姓？ respectfully asks for the surname.
How do you answer in Chinese?
我叫 + name means “My name is …” 我姓 + surname means “My surname is …” In Chinese order, the surname normally comes before the given name.
Is 您贵姓 old-fashioned?
It can sound formal or traditional, but it is still useful in polite situations. For everyday conversation with peers, 你叫什么名字？ is more common.
What is the difference between 你叫什么名字 and 您贵姓?
你叫什么名字 asks for the full name and is standard with peers. 您贵姓 politely asks only for the surname and suits formal or service settings.
How do I give my name in Chinese?
Say 我叫 plus your full name, or 我姓 plus your surname. Chinese order puts the surname first, so 王明 is surname Wang, given name Ming.
What does 您怎么称呼 mean?
It means “how should I address you?” and is a flexible, polite question that also works when a title or nickname is expected.
What are 小王 and 老张?
They are familiar nicknames built from a surname: 小 (young) or 老 (older, familiar) plus the surname. They show how Chinese speakers often address each other informally.
Should I use a business card when meeting in Chinese?
In many business settings, exchanging 名片 is customary, and the surname is read first. A title plus surname, such as 王经理, is a common form of address.
What is the most common way to ask someone’s name?
你叫什么名字？ is the standard everyday question. 请问你叫什么名字？ is more polite, and 您贵姓？ respectfully asks for the surname.
How do I answer in Chinese?
Use 我叫 + name for “My name is …” or 我姓 + surname for “My surname is …” Chinese names normally place the family name first.
Is 你的名字是什么 natural?
It is understandable but often less natural than 你叫什么名字？ in everyday conversation, unless the speaker specifically wants the written form.
What does 您贵姓 ask for?
It respectfully asks for the other person’s surname, not necessarily their full name. A common answer is 我姓 + surname.
Need a name phrase checked?
Send the person’s preferred name, the relationship and whether you need a formal or casual question. A reply can explain surname order and context.
Request a phrase checkRead Chinese name structure| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你叫什么名字？ | nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? | What is your name? | Everyday, peers |
| 你叫什么？ | nǐ jiào shénme? | What are you called? | Casual, can sound abrupt with strangers |
| 你贵姓？ | nǐ guì xìng? | May I ask your surname? | Semi-formal |
| 您贵姓？ | nín guì xìng? | May I ask your surname? (polite) | Formal, elders or business |
| 请问您贵姓？ | qǐngwèn nín guì xìng? | May I ask your surname? (very polite) | Service and formal settings |
| 怎么称呼您？ | zěnme chēnghu nín? | How should I address you? | Business and meetings |
Asking for the surname with 贵姓 is a fixed polite formula and does not mean the person is noble or wealthy. Note that 你叫什么？ without 名字 can sound blunt to a stranger, and 您 raises formality. When answering, 我姓… gives the surname and 我叫… gives the full name.
Asking for a surname, a full name or a form of address
Chinese distinguishes between asking for a name and asking how to address someone. 你叫什么名字？ asks for the full name and is standard with people of similar age or status. 您贵姓？ politely asks for the surname and is common in service and formal settings; the answer is simply the surname plus 免贵姓… or just 我姓…. 您怎么称呼？ means “how should I address you?” and is a flexible, polite option that also works when a title or nickname is expected. Choosing the right question depends on how much information you actually need.
Giving your name: surname first
When you answer, Chinese puts the surname first. 我叫王明 (wǒ jiào Wáng Míng) gives the full name in the Chinese order; 我是王明 is also common. 我姓王 states only the surname, and 你可以叫我小王 (“you can call me Xiǎo Wáng”) offers a familiar form. Note that 小王, 老张 and 阿明 are common nicknames built from a surname or given-name character; knowing them helps you recognise how Chinese speakers actually address each other.
Names in business and formal settings
In business, exchanges often include exchanging 名片 (míngpiàn, business cards) and using a title plus surname, such as 王经理 (“Manager Wang”) or 李老师 (“Teacher Li”). Asking 请问您怎么称呼？ is a safe way to open. Handing over a card with both hands and a slight nod is a customary courtesy, and the surname is read first. These conventions matter more than memorising a single phrase, because the question and the reply should match the setting.
The standard question and a polite version
你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) is the standard everyday way to ask “What is your name?” 你 is the familiar or neutral “you,” 叫 means to be called, 什么 means what, and 名字 means name. 请问你叫什么名字？ adds 请问 and sounds more polite when speaking to a stranger or in a formal setting. 您贵姓？ (nín guìxìng?) is a respectful question that asks only for the surname; it is especially common in formal introductions and service contexts. The two questions do not request exactly the same information.
Answering with 叫 and 姓
我叫王小明 (wǒ jiào Wáng Xiǎomíng) means “My name is Wang Xiaoming.” 我姓王 (wǒ xìng Wáng) means “My surname is Wang.” Chinese names normally put the family name first, so 王 is the surname and 小明 is the given name in this example. If someone answers 您贵姓？ with 我姓王, that is a complete answer to the question. A full answer can add the given name: 我姓王，叫王小明. 姓名 (xìngmíng) is the formal word for full name; 名字 can refer to a name in general and is often used in the everyday question.
Alternatives and tone
怎么称呼你？ (zěnme chēnghu nǐ?) means “How should I address you?” and is useful when the speaker wants a preferred form of address rather than a full legal name. 请问怎么称呼您？ is more polite. 你是谁？ literally asks “Who are you?” and can sound blunt or challenging in many contexts. 你的名字是什么？ is grammatically understandable but often less natural than 你叫什么名字？ unless the speaker is deliberately asking for the written form. Choose the question that matches the relationship and purpose.
Pronunciation, writing and use
名字 is pronounced míngzi, with 子 often light. 姓 is xìng, and 叫 is jiào. Use 你 for a familiar or neutral setting and 您 when the relationship calls for extra respect. The questions 你叫什么名字？, 请问你叫什么名字？ and 您贵姓？ are written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese. In a learning dialogue, keep the question mark and model a natural answer rather than translating the English sentence word for word. For a personal card, use the name the person has provided instead of inventing a Chinese form for them.
Related everyday phrases
What is your name 你叫什么名字 sits among these expressions, but the polite or natural choice still depends on the relationship, time of day and whether the setting is spoken or written.