请问
may I ask
HSK 1
Lesson 2 · 我叫李文
What you'll learn
Ask for a name, introduce your Chinese name, and respond politely during roll call or name checks.
1
Listen and Read
First listen to asking names, then practice saying a name clearly and responding politely during roll call.
老师
请问，你叫什么名字？
May I ask, what is your name?
李文
我叫李文。
My name is Li Wen.
老师
李文，你好！
Hello, Li Wen.
李文
老师，您好！
Hello, teacher.
同学
李文？
Li Wen?
周明
不是，我叫周明。
No. My name is Zhou Ming.
同学
对不起！
Sorry.
周明
没事。
No problem.
周明
很高兴认识你。
Nice to meet you.
同学
我也很高兴认识你。
Nice to meet you, too.
2
Core Words
Recognize words for asking names, introducing yourself, and responding to an apology.
你
you
叫
to be called
什么
what
名字
name
我
I; me
不
not
是
to be
对不起
sorry
没关系
it is okay
没事
no problem
很
very
高兴
glad; happy
认识
to know; to meet
也
also; too
3
Pattern: `我 + 叫 + 李文`
Say who first, then `叫` or `是`, and finally the name or identity.
我 + 叫 + 李文
Learn the order through examples first: `我 + 叫 + 李文` becomes `我叫李文`; `你 + 叫 + 什么名字` becomes `你叫什么名字？`. For now, focus on saying the sentence.
我叫李文。
My name is Li Wen.
你叫什么名字？
What is your name?
我不是老师。
I am not a teacher.
我认识周明。
I know Zhou Ming.
4
Pattern: `姓 + 名`
When introducing a Chinese name, the family name usually comes before the given name.
姓 + 名
Chinese names usually put the family name first and the given name second. In this lesson, use the simple pattern `我叫...`.
李文
Li is the family name. Wen is the given name.
周明
Zhou is the family name. Ming is the given name.
我叫李文。
My name is Li Wen.
我叫周明。
My name is Zhou Ming.
5
Quick Practice
First practice asking for a name.
Complete the prompt: `A：你叫什么名字？ B：______`
What is the best answer when someone asks your name?
6
Quick Practice
Then practice responding to an apology.
Complete the prompt: `A：对不起！ B：______`
What is the most natural answer when someone apologizes to you?
7
Learning Note
Practice the name question until it sounds smooth.
Read `qǐngwèn`, `shénme`, and `míngzi` slowly first, then read `请问，你叫什么名字？` together. The `zi` in `名字` is neutral tone.
请问
may I ask
什么
what
名字
name
请问，你叫什么名字？
May I ask, what is your name?