What is your name in French
Table of contents
In French, asking "What is your name?" is typically expressed as Comment vous appelez-vous ? in formal situations or Comment t'appelles-tu ? in informal contexts. These phrases literally translate to "How do you call yourself?" as French uses a reflexive verb construction for this question.
Formal and Informal Variations
When asking someone's name in French, it's important to consider the level of formality appropriate for the situation. Here are the main variations:
- Formal: Comment vous appelez-vous ? [kɔ.mɑ̃ vu za.ple vu]
- Informal: Comment t'appelles-tu ? [kɔ.mɑ̃ ta.pɛl ty]
- Very informal: Tu t'appelles comment ? [ty ta.pɛl kɔ.mɑ̃]
In more casual settings, especially among young people, you might hear:
- C'est quoi ton nom ? [sɛ kwa tɔ̃ nɔ̃] (What's your name?)
- T'es qui toi ? [te ki twa] (Who are you?)
Usage in Context
Let's see how these phrases are used in different scenarios:
Meeting a new colleague: 🤝 "Bonjour, je suis Marie. Comment vous appelez-vous ?" (Hello, I'm Marie. What is your name?)
Talking to a child: 👧 "Salut petit! Comment t'appelles-tu ?" (Hi little one! What's your name?)
At a casual party: 🎉 "Hé, je ne crois pas qu'on se connaît. Tu t'appelles comment ?" (Hey, I don't think we've met. What's your name?)
Comparison Table
English | French | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|---|---|
What is your name? (formal) | Comment vous appelez-vous ? | [kɔ.mɑ̃ vu za.ple vu] |
What is your name? (informal) | Comment t'appelles-tu ? | [kɔ.mɑ̃ ta.pɛl ty] |
What's your name? (casual) | C'est quoi ton nom ? | [sɛ kwa tɔ̃ nɔ̃] |
Remember, when responding to these questions, you would say "Je m'appelle [your name]" (I'm called [your name]) or simply "Mon nom est [your name]" (My name is [your name]).
By mastering these phrases, you'll be well-equipped to introduce yourself and meet new people in various French-speaking contexts. Bonne chance! 🇫🇷✨