Difference between revisions of "Using the verb "jiao""

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* 这 个 美女 <em>叫</em> Ana。<span class="pinyin">Zhè ge měinǚ <em>jiào</em> Ana.</span><span class="trans">This pretty girl is named Ana.</span>
 
* 这 个 美女 <em>叫</em> Ana。<span class="pinyin">Zhè ge měinǚ <em>jiào</em> Ana.</span><span class="trans">This pretty girl is named Ana.</span>
 
* 我们 的 老板 <em>叫</em> John。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen de lǎobǎn <em>jiào</em> John.</span><span class="trans">Our boss is named John.</span>
 
* 我们 的 老板 <em>叫</em> John。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen de lǎobǎn <em>jiào</em> John.</span><span class="trans">Our boss is named John.</span>
* 我 狗 <em>叫</em> Logan。<span class="pinyin">Wǒjiā de xiǎo gǒu <em>jiào</em> Logan.</span><span class="trans">My family dog is called Logan.</span>
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* 我 的 狗 <em>叫</em> Maximus。<span class="pinyin">de gǒu <em>jiào</em> Maximus.</span><span class="trans">My dog is called Maximus.</span>
 
* 这 种 啤酒 <em>叫</em> PBR。<span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng píjiǔ <em>jiào</em> PBR.</span><span class="trans">This kind of beer is called PBR.</span>
 
* 这 种 啤酒 <em>叫</em> PBR。<span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng píjiǔ <em>jiào</em> PBR.</span><span class="trans">This kind of beer is called PBR.</span>
 
* 你爸爸 <em>叫</em> 什么?<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ bàba <em>jiào</em> 什么?</span><span class="trans">What is your dad called?</span>
 
* 你爸爸 <em>叫</em> 什么?<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ bàba <em>jiào</em> 什么?</span><span class="trans">What is your dad called?</span>

Revision as of 09:32, 11 January 2016

Chinese-grammar-wiki-jiao.jpg

The verb 叫 (jiào) is used to indicate what someone or something is called, or what someone or something's name is. Its usage can seem a little weird to beginners. So it gets its own grammar point.

Structure

The verb 叫 (jiào) means both "to call" and "to be called." It's an easy way to give names, using the following structure:

Subj. + 叫 + Name

This can be used to give your full name or just your first name.

Examples

  • Tom。(Note: it even works if you don't have a Chinese name!)jiào Tom.My name is Tom.
  • 李小龙。(Note: this is the real name of Bruce Lee)jiào Lǐ Xiǎolóng.His name is Li Xiaolong.
  • 我 哥哥 老木。(Note: this is probably not his real name)Wǒ gēgē jiào Lǎo Mù.My brother is called Lao Mu.
  • 那 个 什么?Nà ge jiào shénme?What is that called?
  • 这 个 美女 Ana。Zhè ge měinǚ jiào Ana.This pretty girl is named Ana.
  • 我们 的 老板 John。Wǒmen de lǎobǎn jiào John.Our boss is named John.
  • 我 的 狗 Maximus。Wǒ de gǒu jiào Maximus.My dog is called Maximus.
  • 这 种 啤酒 PBR。Zhè zhǒng píjiǔ jiào PBR.This kind of beer is called PBR.
  • 你爸爸 什么? Nǐ bàba jiào 什么?What is your dad called?
  • 这 个 地方 外滩。Zhè ge dìfāng jiào Wàitān.This place is called the Bund.

You can also ask people their names using 叫 (jiào):

  • 什么 名字 ?jiào shénme míngzì?What's your name?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books