Difference between revisions of "Using the verb "jiao""
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− | * 我 <em>叫</em> Tom。<span class="expl"> | + | * 我 <em>叫</em> Tom。<span class="expl">Note: it even works if you don't have a Chinese name!)</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>jiào</em> Tom.</span><span class="trans">My name is Tom.</span> |
− | * 他 <em>叫</em> 李小龙。<span class="expl"> | + | * 他 <em>叫</em> 李小龙。<span class="expl">Note: this is the real name of Bruce Lee)</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>jiào</em> Lǐ Xiǎolóng.</span><span class="trans">His name is Li Xiaolong.</span> |
− | * 我 哥哥 <em>叫</em> 老马 。<span class="expl"> | + | * 我 哥哥 <em>叫</em> 老马 。<span class="expl">Note: this is probably not his real name)</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ gēgē <em>jiào</em> Lǎo Mǎ.</span><span class="trans">My brother is called Lao Ma.</span> |
* 那 个 <em>叫</em> 什么?<span class="pinyin">Nà ge <em>jiào</em> shénme?</span><span class="trans">What is that called?</span> | * 那 个 <em>叫</em> 什么?<span class="pinyin">Nà ge <em>jiào</em> shénme?</span><span class="trans">What is that called?</span> | ||
* 这 个 美女 <em>叫</em> Alana。<span class="pinyin">Zhè ge měinǚ <em>jiào</em> Alana.</span><span class="trans">This pretty girl is named Alana.</span> | * 这 个 美女 <em>叫</em> Alana。<span class="pinyin">Zhè ge měinǚ <em>jiào</em> Alana.</span><span class="trans">This pretty girl is named Alana.</span> |
Revision as of 07:43, 17 February 2016
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Level
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Similar to
- Using the verb "xing" (A1)
- Causative verbs (B1)
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Used for
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Keywords
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!)My name is Tom.
- 他 叫 李小龙。Note: this is the real name of Bruce Lee)His name is Li Xiaolong.
- 我 哥哥 叫 老马 。Note: this is probably not his real name)My brother is called Lao Ma.
- 那 个 叫 什么?What is that called?
- 这 个 美女 叫 Alana。This pretty girl is named Alana.
- 我们 的 老板 叫 John。Our boss is named John.
- 我 的 狗 叫 Maximus。My dog is called Maximus.
- 这 种 啤酒 叫 PBR。This kind of beer is called PBR.
- 你爸爸 叫 什么?What is your dad's name?
- 这 个 地方 叫 外滩。This place is called the Bund.
You can also ask people their names using 叫 (jiào):
- 你 叫 什么 名字 ?What's your name?
See also
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