In this workshop you will practice asking someone's name in French and answering when someone asks you. You will hear formal questions that use vous and informal questions that use tu. You will also work with a short exchange between two speakers. Each recorded line is shown as a reference, and its English meaning is explained before you practice it. You can play both roles out loud, but there is no automatic check, so use the answer keys and self-checks to judge your own speaking.
Formal questions with vous
Use a formal question when you speak with a stranger, an official, or someone you do not know well. One recorded model is «Comment vous appelez-vous ?», which means "What is your name?" in a formal way. Another recorded model is «Comment est-ce que vous vous appelez ?», which also means "What is your name?" formally, but it uses est-ce que instead of inversion. Both questions use vous, so they are polite and careful. Listen to the rhythm, then repeat each line slowly. Keep the final sound of appelez clear, and link vous to the verb smoothly. When you practice, imagine greeting a new colleague at an office. You can say the greeting first, then ask the question. Follow the recording's rhythm and intonation as you repeat.
Informal questions with tu
Use an informal question with people you already call tu, such as friends, classmates, or children. One recorded model is «Comment tu t'appelles ?», which means "What is your name?" informally. Another recorded model is «Comment t'appelles-tu ?», which also means "What is your name?" informally, but it uses inversion. Both questions use tu, so they are friendly and relaxed. Notice the small t' sound before appelles. Repeat each line several times and keep the sounds connected. Imagine you meet a new student in your class and you want to be friendly. You can ask the informal question, then listen for the answer. Do not mix tu and vous in the same question; choose one style and stay with it.
A short exchange: asking and answering
Now look at a short recorded exchange. Speaker A says «Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous ?», which means "Hello, what is your name?" formally. Speaker B answers with «Je m'appelle Claire Dubois. Et vous ?», which means "My name is Claire Dubois. And you?" Speaker A then replies with «Moi, c'est Thomas. Enchanté.», which means "Me, I'm Thomas. Nice to meet you." Speaker B answers with «Enchantée.», which means "Nice to meet you." This exchange shows a full formal greeting: one person asks, the other gives a name and asks back, and both people say a polite closing phrase. Practice both roles. First, read Speaker A's lines out loud. Then read Speaker B's lines. Finally, play the recording and speak along with one role. Keep your voice friendly and clear, and pause briefly after each line so the exchange feels natural.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Comment vous appelez-vous ?
What is your name? (formal)
koh-mahn voo-zah-play-VOO
Comment est-ce que vous vous appelez ?
What is your name? (formal, less inverted)
koh-mahn ess-kuh voo voo-zah-play
Comment tu t'appelles ?
What is your name? (informal)
koh-mahn tew tah-PELL
Comment t'appelles-tu ?
What is your name? (informal, inverted)
koh-mahn tah-PELL tew
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous ?
Hello, what is your name? (formal)Je m'appelle Claire Dubois. Et vous ?
My name is Claire Dubois. And you?Moi, c'est Thomas. Enchanté.
Me, I'm Thomas. Nice to meet you.Enchantée.
Nice to meet you.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided formal exchange
Imagine you are meeting a new colleague at a workplace. You will speak first and use formal language with vous. Use the recorded lines as your model.
Your task: Say a formal greeting and ask the other person's name. Then answer as the other person by giving a name and asking the question back. Use the recorded lines «Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous ?» and «Je m'appelle Claire Dubois. Et vous ?» as your guide. Repeat the exchange twice, once slowly and once at a natural speed.
Choose a question and understand the reply
You are starting two introductions. In the first, you address a new colleague as vous. In the second, you and a fellow student have agreed to use tu. Choose a name question for each relationship, then check the meaning of the recorded formal reply.
Your task: Choose between «Comment vous appelez-vous ?» and «Comment tu t'appelles ?» for each scene, then say the matching question aloud. Now listen to «Je m'appelle Claire Dubois. Et vous ?». What name does the speaker give, and what does Et vous ? invite the other person to do? Answer the comprehension questions in English; no new French reply is required.
Recall the exchange with correct roles
Imagine the recorded exchange between Speaker A and Speaker B. You will now recall the lines without looking at the text, and you will keep the correct roles.
Your task: Say the four lines of the exchange from memory. Speaker A begins with the formal question and greeting. Speaker B answers with a name and asks back. Speaker A gives a name and says a polite phrase. Speaker B answers with the same polite phrase. Use the recorded lines «Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous ?», «Je m'appelle Claire Dubois. Et vous ?», «Moi, c'est Thomas. Enchanté.», and «Enchantée.» as your model.
Common questions
When should I use the formal question and when should I use the informal question?
Use the formal question with vous when you speak to a stranger, an official, or someone you do not know well. Use the informal question with tu when you speak to a friend, a classmate, or a child. The recordings show both styles, so you can hear the difference. If you are not sure, the formal style is the safer choice.
Can I practice both roles if I am alone?
Yes. You can play the recording and speak one role, then play it again and speak the other role. You can also read both parts out loud and change your voice slightly for each speaker. There is no automatic check, so use the answer keys and self-checks to decide if your lines match the recorded models.
Sources and further reading
- french: asking someones nameChecked September 2026
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