Using the verb "jiao"

The verb 叫 (jiào) can seem a little weird to beginners. So it gets its own grammar point!

Structure

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

Subject + 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 老木。(Note: this is probably not his real name)My brother is called Lao Mu.

You can also ask people their names using 叫:

• 你 叫 什么 名字 ？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） (pp. 303) →buy