Using the verb "jiao"

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

• 我 叫 Tom。Note: it even works if you don't have a Chinese name!Wǒ jiào Tom.My name is Tom.
• 他 叫 李小龙。Note: this is the real name of Bruce LeeTā jiào Lǐ Xiǎolóng.His name is Li Xiaolong.
• 我 哥哥 叫 老马 。Note: this is probably not his real nameWǒ gēge jiào Lǎo Mǎ.My brother is called Lao Ma.
• 那 个 叫 什么？Nàge jiào shénme?What is that called?
• 这 个 美女 叫 Alana。Zhège měinǚ jiào Alana.This pretty girl is named Alana.
• 我们 的 老板 叫 John。Wǒmen de lǎobǎn jiào John.Our boss is named John.
• 我 的 狗 叫 Maximus。Wǒ de gǒu jiào Maximus.My dog is called Maximus.
• 这 种 啤酒 叫 PBR。Zhè zhǒng píjiǔ jiào PBR.This kind of beer is called PBR.
• 你爸爸 叫 什么？ Nǐ bàba jiào 什么?What is your dad's name?
• 这 个 地方 叫 外滩。Zhège dìfang jiào Wàitān.This place is called the Bund.

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

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

See also

• Using the verb "xing"
• Introducing people

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 24-5) →buy
• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (p. 303) →buy
• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 49) →buy