你好，你叫什么名字？
nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
Hello what is your name · trad. 你好，你叫什麼名字？
你好，你叫什么名字？ is the standard way to greet someone and ask for their name in Mandarin Chinese. It's appropriate for most everyday situations, from meeting new friends to casual introductions.
What does 你好，你叫什么名字？ (nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) mean?
你好，你叫什么名字？ (nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) means “hello what is your name” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “you good, you call what name?”
When to use it
Neutral to casual. To add politeness, especially with strangers or elders, you can insert 请问 (qǐngwèn, "may I ask") before the question. For formal settings or when showing extra respect, use 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ), and consider 您贵姓？ (nín guìxìng?) to politely ask for someone's surname.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “nee-HOW, nee jyao shuhn-muh MING-dzuh.” Remember the tone change in 你好, so it's pronounced “ní hǎo.” The “zi” in 名字 is a light, neutral tone.
Other ways to say it
- 你好，请问你叫什么名字？nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?Hello, may I ask your name? (more polite)
- 您好，请问您贵姓？nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nín guìxìng?Hello, may I ask your esteemed surname? (formal, polite)
- 你叫什么名字？nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?What do you call yourself? (very casual)
Examples
你好，你叫什么名字？我是王明。
nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? wǒ shì Wáng Míng.
Hello, what's your name? I'm Wang Ming.
你好，请问你叫什么名字？很高兴认识你。
nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.
Hello, may I ask your name? Nice to meet you.
您好，请问您贵姓？
nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nín guìxìng?
Hello, may I ask your esteemed surname?
Pro tip: While 你叫什么名字？ asks for a full name, 您贵姓？ (nín guìxìng?) is a very polite and formal way to ask for someone's surname, often used when addressing elders or people of higher status.
Related phrases
叫 · Call阿姨 · Aunt祝你好运 · Good luck
Want to speak Chinese for real?
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →