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2.2.1: Inquiring About Names (模块一- 问姓名)

  • Page ID
    44095
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    Scenario 1.1

    Zhang Wenshan asks a student what his name is.

    ZhW:

    S:

    你叫什么名字?

    我姓安,叫安大为。

    什么

    shénme

    what

    名字

    míngzì

    given name, full name

    Ān

    Chinese surname

    大为

    Dàwéi

    Chinese name of David

    Note:

    叫 “be called, or be named,” is used to introduce a given name or full name. The pattern is:

    Subject + 叫 + Given Name (bi-syllable) / Full Name

    我 叫 安大为。

    (lit. “I am called An Dawei.”)

    Be careful, do not use 是 in this pattern. 叫should not be used to introduce a surname.

    什么 a question word, is used to make a question with “What.” Remember not to use 吗 at the end of questions containing question words like What, Where, When, Which, Who, and How. Pay close attention to the word order of Wh- Questions in Chinese. In Chinese questions, the word order is the same as in a statement as follows:

    Statement: 我 叫 安大为。 Question: 你 叫 什么?

    (lit. “I am called An Dawei.”) (lit. “You are called what”?)

    Nevertheless, in English questions, question words (5Wh+How) are switched to the beginning of the questions.

    Scenario 1.2:

    Zhang Guoxin asks the name of a person he does not know in a business reception.

    ZhG:

    BJ:

    请问,您贵姓?

    我姓白,叫白杰森。

    wèn

    to ask

    请问

    qǐng wèn

    excuse me

    guì

    honorable, expensive

    杰森

    Jiésēn

    Chinese name of Jason

    Note:

    请问 literally means “Please may I ask (a question)?” It is commonly used to introduce questions politely, as in the English phrase “Excuse me.” Keep in mind, only use it when asking questions, not to apologize.

    您贵姓 literally means “What is your honorable surname?” This idiomatic expression is commonly used to inquire about names on formal occasions when meeting someone for the first time, but would not be used in informal situations. For example, college students would usually ask 你叫什么名字?If someone asks you 您贵姓, you would answer 我姓… followed by your surname. Do NOT use贵 for yourself, because it is an honorific and can only be used to refer to others.


    This page titled 2.2.1: Inquiring About Names (模块一- 问姓名) is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .

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