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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing being called a name with 叫 (jiào)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Subject + 叫 + Name

    Explanation

    The verb 叫 (jiào) means "to be called" or "to call" and is commonly used to state one's name. The basic pattern is 我叫… (my name is…), which is one of the first structures Chinese learners encounter.

    Examples

    • 你好,我叫小明。

      nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào xiǎo míng.

      Hello, my name is Xiao Ming.

    • 大家都叫她小花。

      dàjiā dōu jiào tā xiǎo huā.

      Everyone calls her Xiao Hua.

    • 请问您叫什么名字?

      qǐngwèn nín jiào shénme míngzì?

      Excuse me, what is your name?

    Expressing being called a name with 叫 (jiào) | Chinese Grammar