Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/叫-(jiào)

How to use the verb 叫 (jiào)

The verb 叫 (jiào) means both "to call oneself" and "to be called". It's a very simple way to give one's name in Chinese.

Structure

Subject + 叫 + Name

This structure can be used with your full name or just your first name.  

Examples

• 我 叫 Tom。Wǒ jiào Tom.

My name is Tom.

• 他 叫 李小龙。 Tā jiào Lǐ Xiǎolóng.

His name is Li Xiaolong.

• 我 哥哥 叫 老木。 Wǒ gēgē jiào Lǎo Mù.

My brother calls himself Lao Mu.

• 这 个 美女 叫 Ana。Zhè gè měinǚ jiào Ana.

This pretty girl is named Ana.