名字
What does "名字" mean in English?
name你的名字是什么？
What is your name?
How to use "名字" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
The word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to.
请告诉我你的名字。
Please tell me your name.
这个孩子还没有名字。
This child doesn’t have a name yet.
Used for both given names and full names in casual contexts. In formal writing, '姓名' (full name) is preferred.
Pro Tip
Distinguish from '姓名'
In formal contexts (e.g., forms, official documents), use '姓名' (full name) instead of '名字'. '名字' is more casual and commonly used in speech.
Gold Rule
Name Order in Chinese
Chinese names typically place the family name (姓) first, followed by the given name (名). For example, '张三' (Zhang San) where '张' is the surname and '三' is the given name.
Word Origin
From Classical Chinese 名 (míng, 'name') + 字 (zì, 'character/word'), originally referring to a person's given name and courtesy name. The modern usage conflates both senses into a single term.
Usage Notes
In Chinese culture, one's '名字' typically refers to their given name (名), while '字' (courtesy name) is a secondary name used in adulthood. However, in everyday speech, '名字' is used broadly to mean 'name' regardless of formality.