你好，我叫
nǐ hǎo ， wǒ jiào
Hello my name
你好，我叫 (nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào) is the most common and natural way to introduce yourself in Mandarin Chinese, combining a greeting with your name. It's suitable for almost any situation when meeting someone new.
When to use it
Neutral and polite. For more formal or respectful introductions, especially to elders or superiors, you can use 您好 (nín hǎo) instead of 你好. While 我叫 (wǒ jiào) is the most common for giving your name, 我是 (wǒ shì, "I am") can also be used, especially when introducing a full name or title.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “nee-HOW, WOH jyao.” Remember the tone change for 你好: the first 你 (nǐ) becomes a rising tone (ní) when followed by another third tone. 叫 (jiào) is a falling tone.
Other ways to say it
- 您好，我叫...nín hǎo ， wǒ jiào ...hello (polite), my name is...
- 你好，我是...nǐ hǎo ， wǒ shì ...hello, I am... (introducing name)
- 我叫...wǒ jiào ...my name is... (without initial greeting)
Examples
你好，我叫李明。
nǐ hǎo ， wǒ jiào lǐ míng 。
Hello, my name is Li Ming.
您好，我叫王老师。
nín hǎo ， wǒ jiào wáng lǎo shī 。
Hello, my name is Teacher Wang. (polite)
我叫小芳，你呢？
wǒ jiào xiǎo fāng ， nǐ ne ？
My name is Xiaofang, and you?
Pro tip: Both 我叫 (wǒ jiào) and 我是 (wǒ shì) can introduce your name. 我叫 is generally more common and natural for just your given name or full name. 我是 is often used when introducing yourself with a title (e.g., 我是老师, "I am a teacher") or in more formal settings, but can also be used for names.
Related phrases
我爱你 · I love you爱 · Love我想你 · I miss you
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