How to Say Your Name and Basic Information Politely in German
Learn to introduce yourself in German with formal and informal variations, and respond politely when someone introduces themselves.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Introducing yourself is one of the first real conversations you will have in German. This lesson teaches you how to state your name, where you are from, and what you do, using polite forms for strangers and casual forms for friends. You will also learn how to respond when someone introduces themselves. We focus only on giving your own information, not on asking others for theirs.
By the end, you can…
- state my name in German using formal and informal phrases.
- add basic information like where I come from and what I do.
- respond politely when someone introduces themselves.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich heiße Anna.
My name is Anna.
ikh HY-suh AH-nah
Standard, neutral way to give your first name. Works in both formal and informal situations.
Mein Name ist Peter Schmidt.
My name is Peter Schmidt.
mine NAH-muh ist PAY-ter shmit
Slightly more formal; often used when giving your full name, e.g., at an office or on the phone.
Ich komme aus Kanada.
I come from Canada.
ikh KOM-uh ows kah-NAH-dah
Use to state your country or city of origin. Replace 'Kanada' with your own country.
Ich bin Lehrerin.
I am a teacher (female).
ikh bin LAY-reh-rin
State your profession. Male speakers say 'Lehrer' (LAY-rer). No article is used before professions in German.
Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.
Nice to meet you (formal).
froyt mikh zee KEN-uhn-tsoo-lair-nen
Polite response after a formal introduction. Use 'Sie' (formal you) with strangers, elders, or professionals.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To give your name, use 'Ich heiße ...' or 'Mein Name ist ...'. Both are correct. 'Ich heiße' is like 'I am called' and is very common. 'Mein Name ist' is a bit more formal. For origin, say 'Ich komme aus ...' + country or city. For profession, say 'Ich bin ...' + profession, without 'ein/eine'. Example: 'Ich bin Arzt.' (I am a doctor.) Note that German nouns are always capitalized.
When to use it
Use 'Ich heiße' and 'Ich bin' in most situations, formal or informal. Use 'Mein Name ist' when you want to sound extra polite, such as at a doctor's office or a job interview. When responding to an introduction, say 'Freut mich' (nice to meet you) informally, or 'Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen' formally. In southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, you may hear 'Grüß Gott' as a greeting, but the introduction phrases remain the same.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag. Ich heiße Frau Weber.
Good day. My name is Mrs. Weber.GOO-ten tahk. ikh HY-suh frow VAY-berGuten Tag. Mein Name ist Thomas Becker. Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.
Good day. My name is Thomas Becker. Nice to meet you.GOO-ten tahk. mine NAH-muh ist TOH-mahs BEK-er. froyt mikh zee KEN-uhn-tsoo-lair-nenFreut mich auch. Ich komme aus Österreich.
Nice to meet you too. I come from Austria.froyt mikh owkh. ikh KOM-uh ows UH-ster-rykhInteressant. Ich bin Ingenieur.
Interesting. I am an engineer.in-teh-res-AHNT. ikh bin IN-zheh-nyurA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, formal introductions often include a title (Herr/Frau) and last name, especially with older people or in professional settings. First names are used among friends, family, and younger people. When in doubt, use the formal 'Sie' until the other person offers 'du'. In Austria and Switzerland, 'Grüß Gott' or 'Grüezi' are common greetings, but the self-introduction phrases are the same as in Germany.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich bin ein Lehrer' to mean 'I am a teacher.'
Try this instead: In German, you do not use an article before professions. Say 'Ich bin Lehrer' (male) or 'Ich bin Lehrerin' (female). The word 'ein' is only used if you add an adjective, e.g., 'Ich bin ein guter Lehrer' (I am a good teacher).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'My name is Julia' in a neutral way?
Show a sample answer
Ich heiße Julia.
'Ich heiße' is the most common neutral phrase. 'Mein Name ist Julia' is also correct but slightly more formal.
2You are a female doctor. How do you state your profession?
Show a sample answer
Ich bin Ärztin.
No article is used. 'Ärztin' is the female form; a male doctor says 'Arzt'.
3Someone says 'Ich heiße Markus' to you in a casual setting. What is a polite response?
Show a sample answer
Freut mich, Markus.
This means 'Nice to meet you, Markus.' In a formal setting, you would say 'Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.'
Use 'Ich heiße ...' or 'Mein Name ist ...' to give your name, 'Ich komme aus ...' for origin, and 'Ich bin ...' for profession. Respond with 'Freut mich' (informal) or 'Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen' (formal).
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