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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to call' or 'to name' with 叫 (jiào)

    Actions & Events
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Subject + 叫 + Name/Label

    Explanation

    The verb 叫 (jiào) means "to call" or "to name" and is one of the most common ways to express what something or someone is called in Chinese. It is used both to give names and to refer to how something is known. Place 叫 between the subject and the name or label being assigned.

    Examples

    • 这道菜叫红烧肉，你尝尝看。

      zhè dào cài jiào hóngshāoròu, nǐ chángchang kàn.

      This dish is called braised pork — give it a try.

    • 大家都叫他小李，其实他姓王。

      dàjiā dōu jiào tā Xiǎo Lǐ, qíshí tā xìng Wáng.

      Everyone calls him Xiao Li, but his surname is actually Wang.

    • 这种花叫什么名字？我从来没见过。

      zhè zhǒng huā jiào shénme míngzi? wǒ cónglái méi jiàn guò.

      What is this flower called? I've never seen it before.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'to call' or 'to name' with 叫 (jiào) | Chinese Grammar