Using the verb "jiào" "叫"
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.
Contents
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 Lee
Tā jiào Lǐ Xiǎolóng.
His name is Li Xiaolong.
- 我 哥哥 叫 老马 。
Note: this is probably not his real name
Wǒ gēge jiào Lǎo Mǎ.
My brother is called Lao Ma.
- 那 个 叫 什么？
Nà ge jiào shénme?
What is that called?
- 这 个 美女 叫 Alana。
Zhè ge 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。
Zhè ge 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
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 24-5)
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (p. 303)
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 49)