3.2.4: Using the verb "jiao"

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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。Note: this is the real name of Bruce LeeTā jiào Lǐ Xiǎolóng.His name is Li Xiaolong.
我哥哥叫老马。Note: this is probably not his real nameWǒ gēge jiào Lǎo Mǎ.My brother is called Lao Ma.
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.

You can also ask people their names using 叫 (jiào):

你叫什么名字？Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?What's your name?

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Structure

Examples

See also