How to Ask Someone's Name in German: Formal and Informal
Learn to ask 'What's your name?' in German formally and informally, with pronunciation and politeness tips.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Asking someone's name is one of the first social exchanges you'll need in German. German has clear formal and informal registers, and choosing the right one matters. In this lesson, you'll learn the key phrases for both situations, how to pronounce them, and when to use each. You'll also see how German uses the polite 'Sie' versus the informal 'du', and how to avoid common mistakes. By the end, you'll be able to ask for a name appropriately in everyday and formal contexts.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone's name informally using 'Wie heißt du?'
- ask someone's name formally using 'Wie heißen Sie?'
- use the polite phrase 'Darf ich fragen, wie Sie heißen?'
- choose between formal and informal address based on context.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Wie heißt du?
What's your name? (informal)
vee HYST doo
Use with friends, family, children, and people your age in casual settings. The verb 'heißt' means 'are called'.
Wie heißen Sie?
What's your name? (formal)
vee HY-sen zee
Use with strangers, older people, officials, and in professional contexts. 'Sie' is always capitalized in writing when polite.
Darf ich fragen, wie Sie heißen?
May I ask your name? (formal)
darf ikh FRAH-gen, vee zee HY-sen
Very polite and slightly more indirect. Good for formal introductions or when you want to be extra courteous.
Wie ist Ihr Name?
What is your name? (formal)
vee ist eer NAH-muh
A direct formal alternative. 'Ihr' is the possessive 'your' used with 'Sie'.
Und du?
And you? (informal)
unt doo
Use after someone asks your name, to return the question informally.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
German questions often start with a question word like 'wie' (how). The verb comes second. For 'you' singular informal, use 'du'; for formal, use 'Sie'. The verb 'heißen' means 'to be called'. So 'Wie heißt du?' literally means 'How are you called?' and 'Wie heißen Sie?' is the formal version. Note the verb ending: 'heißt' for du, 'heißen' for Sie. Examples: 'Wie heißt du?' (informal), 'Wie heißen Sie?' (formal). You can also ask 'Wie ist dein Name?' (informal) or 'Wie ist Ihr Name?' (formal), but 'heißen' is more common in speech.
When to use it
Use informal 'du' with friends, family, classmates, children, and peers in relaxed settings. Use formal 'Sie' with strangers, acquaintances, older people, authority figures, and in business or official situations. When in doubt, start with 'Sie' and wait for the other person to offer 'du'. For example, at a party with people your age, 'Wie heißt du?' is fine. At a job interview, use 'Wie heißen Sie?'. In Austria and Switzerland, 'Sie' is also standard for formal address, but informal 'du' is used more quickly than in Germany in some contexts.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag! Wie heißen Sie?
Good day! What's your name? (formal)GOO-ten tahk! vee HY-sen zeeIch heiße Anna Schmidt. Und Sie?
My name is Anna Schmidt. And you? (formal)ikh HY-suh AH-nah shmit. unt zeeIch bin Peter Weber. Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.
I am Peter Weber. Nice to meet you. (formal)ikh bin PAY-ter VAY-ber. froyt mikh, zee KEN-en-tsoo-ler-nenGanz meinerseits. Auf Wiedersehen!
Likewise. Goodbye!gants MY-ner-zyts. owf VEE-der-zay-enA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, the formal 'Sie' is important in professional and official settings, while 'du' is common among friends, family, and younger people. Using 'du' with a stranger much older than you can seem disrespectful. In Austria and Switzerland, 'Sie' is also standard for formal address, but informal 'du' may be offered more quickly in casual settings. When unsure, use 'Sie' and let the other person suggest 'du'.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Wie heißt du?' with a stranger or someone older in a formal context.
Try this instead: Use the formal 'Wie heißen Sie?' instead. For example, at a business meeting, say 'Wie heißen Sie?' not 'Wie heißt du?'. If you accidentally use 'du', you can apologize: 'Entschuldigung, wie heißen Sie?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a new colleague's name in a formal way?
Show a sample answer
Wie heißen Sie?
This uses the formal 'Sie' and is appropriate for a professional context. 'Wie heißt du?' would be too informal.
2How would you ask a friend's name informally?
Show a sample answer
Wie heißt du?
This uses the informal 'du' and is correct with friends. 'Wie heißen Sie?' would be too formal.
3What is a very polite way to ask someone's name formally?
Show a sample answer
Darf ich fragen, wie Sie heißen?
This phrase adds 'Darf ich fragen' (May I ask) to be extra polite. 'Wie ist Ihr Name?' is also correct but more direct.
Use 'Wie heißt du?' with friends and 'Wie heißen Sie?' with strangers or in formal situations. When in doubt, start with 'Sie' and switch to 'du' only if invited.
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