{{Grammar Box}} 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 Max。Wǒ de gǒu jiào Max.My dog is called Max. * 这 种 手机 叫 iPhone。Zhè zhǒng shǒujī jiào iPhone.This kind of cell phone is called an iPhone. * 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 míngzi?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) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy] * [[现代汉语八百词（增订本）]] (p. 303) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy] * [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (p. 49) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy] [[Category:A1 grammar points]] [[Category:Verbs]] {{Used for|Introducing people}} {{Basic Grammar|叫|A1|叫 + Name|你 叫 什么 名字 ？|grammar point|ASGUGWVZ}} {{Similar|Using the verb "xing"}} {{Similar|Introducing people}} {{Similar|Causative verbs}} {{POS|Verbs}} {{Subprop|Verbs}} {{Translation|call}}