2.11: Lesson 1 Grammar - The Verb 叫 (jiào)
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- 66552
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The verb 叫 (jiào) is used to indicate what someone or something is called, or what someone or something's name is. Its usage can seem a little weird to beginners, so it gets its own grammar point.
Structure
The verb 叫 (jiào) means both "to call" and "to be called." It's an easy way to give names, using the following structure:
Subj. + 叫 + [Name]
This can be used to give your full name or just your first name.
Examples
- 我叫 Tom。
[Note: it even works if you don't have a Chinese name!]
Wǒ jiào Tom.
My name is Tom.
- 他叫李小龙。
Tā jiào Lǐ Xiǎolóng.
His name is Li Xiaolong.
[Note: this is the real name of Bruce Lee.]
- 我哥哥叫老马 。
Wǒ gēge jiào Lǎo Mǎ.
My brother is called Lao Ma.
[Note: this is probably a nickname, not a real name.]
- 那个叫什么？
Nàge jiào shénme?
What is that called?
- 这个美女叫 Alana。
Zhège měinǚ jiào Alana.
This pretty girl is named Alana.
- 我们的老板叫 John。
Wǒmen de lǎobǎn jiào John.
Our boss is named John.
- 我的狗叫 Max。
Wǒ de gǒu jiào Max.
My dog is called Max.
- 这种手机叫 iPhone。
Zhè zhǒng shǒujī jiào iPhone.
This kind of cell phone is called an iPhone.
- 你爸爸叫什么？
Nǐ bàba jiào shénme?
What is your dad's name?
- 这个地方叫外滩。
Zhège dìfang jiào Wàitān.
This place is called the Bund.
[Note: The Bund is a famous street in Shanghai.]
You can also ask people their names using 叫 (jiào):
- 你叫什么名字？
Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
What's your name?
[adapted from AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki, Creative Commons License BY-NC-SA 3.0]
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Any Questions?
If you have any questions about this grammar point, please ask in the class forums!