How to Ask Someone's Name in Mandarin Chinese: Formal and Informal Ways
Learn to ask 'What's your name?' in Mandarin Chinese for formal and informal situations. Master key phrases like 你叫什么名字 and 请问您贵姓, understand politeness levels, and practice with a dialogue.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Asking someone's name is often the first step in a conversation. In Mandarin Chinese, the way you ask depends on who you're talking to. You'll use different words and structures for friends versus strangers, and for casual versus formal settings. This lesson teaches you the most common phrases for asking names, from simple informal questions to polite formal inquiries. You'll learn how to use 你 and 您 correctly, when to add 请问, and how to respond appropriately. By the end, you'll be able to ask anyone's name with confidence and the right level of politeness.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone's name informally using 你叫什么名字？
- ask someone's name formally using 请问您贵姓？
- distinguish between 你 and 您 and use them appropriately.
- ask for a full name or just a surname in different situations.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
你叫什么名字？
What's your name? (informal)
nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
Use with friends, classmates, or people your age or younger. It's direct but not rude in casual settings.
请问您贵姓？
May I ask your surname? (formal)
qǐngwèn nín guì xìng?
Very polite and formal. Use with elders, superiors, or in business situations. It asks only for the surname.
您怎么称呼？
How should I address you? (polite)
nín zěnme chēnghu?
A respectful way to ask for someone's name or preferred form of address. Common in professional contexts.
你叫什么？
What are you called? (casual)
nǐ jiào shénme?
Even more casual than 你叫什么名字？. Often used among young people or in very relaxed situations.
请问你叫什么名字？
May I ask what your name is? (polite)
qǐngwèn nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
Adds 请问 to the informal question, making it polite but still using 你. Suitable for strangers in everyday situations.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern for asking a name is: [Subject] + 叫 + [Name]. For example, 你叫小明 (You are called Xiaoming). To ask a question, replace the name with a question word: 你叫什么名字？ (You are called what name?). The verb 叫 means 'to be called'. For formal situations, use 您 instead of 你, and consider asking for the surname with 贵姓: 您贵姓？ (Your honorable surname?). Another pattern is 怎么称呼 (how to address), as in 您怎么称呼？ This is very polite and common in business. Remember that Chinese does not change verb forms for politeness; politeness is shown through word choice and pronouns.
When to use it
Use informal phrases like 你叫什么名字？ with friends, peers, or people clearly younger than you. For example, a student asking a new classmate: 你叫什么名字？ In formal contexts—such as meeting a client, a professor, or an elder—use 您 and phrases like 请问您贵姓？ or 您怎么称呼？ For instance, at a business meeting: 请问您贵姓？ If you're unsure, it's safer to be polite. Also, note that 请问 (may I ask) can be added to any question to soften it. Avoid using 您 with close friends, as it can sound distant. Similarly, 贵姓 is only for others, never for yourself.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你好！你叫什么名字？
Hello! What's your name?nǐ hǎo! nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?我叫王明。你呢？
I'm called Wang Ming. And you?wǒ jiào wáng míng. nǐ ne?我叫李华。很高兴认识你。
I'm Li Hua. Nice to meet you.wǒ jiào lǐ huá. hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.我也很高兴认识你。
I'm also happy to meet you.wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese culture, politeness is often shown by using appropriate pronouns and set phrases. Using 您 instead of 你 signals respect, especially with elders or in professional settings. Asking for a surname with 贵姓 is traditional and very polite; it literally means 'honorable surname'. When someone asks your name, it's common to give your full name, but you can also just give your surname if the context is formal. Avoid using 您 with close friends, as it can create distance. Also, 请问 is a useful polite opener for any question.
One thing to watch for
Using 您贵姓 with friends or peers, which sounds overly formal and distant.
Try this instead: With friends, use 你叫什么名字？ or simply 你叫什么？ For example, to a new classmate: 你叫什么名字？ Save 您贵姓 for formal situations, like meeting a senior colleague: 请问您贵姓？
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a new friend's name informally?
Show a sample answer
你叫什么名字？
This is the standard informal way. You could also say 你叫什么？ which is even more casual. Both are correct in friendly contexts.
2How would you politely ask an older person's surname?
Show a sample answer
请问您贵姓？
This uses 您 and 贵姓 to show respect. Another polite option is 您怎么称呼？ which asks how to address them.
3What is the difference between 你 and 您?
Show a sample answer
你 is informal, used with friends, peers, or people younger than you. 您 is formal and respectful, used with elders, superiors, or in professional settings.
Using the right pronoun shows awareness of social hierarchy and politeness. When in doubt, 您 is safer in formal situations.
To ask a name in Mandarin, use 你叫什么名字？ for informal situations and 请问您贵姓？ or 您怎么称呼？ for formal ones. Remember to choose 你 or 您 based on the person you're speaking to.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr