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:

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 叫 + \[Name\]

</div>
This can be used to give your full name or just your first name.

Examples
--------

<div class="liju">
-   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">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">Note: this is probably
    not his real name</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ gēge <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">Nàge <em>jiào</em>
    shénme?</span><span class="trans">What is that called?</span>
-   这 个 美女 <em>叫</em> Alana。<span class="pinyin">Zhège měinǚ
    <em>jiào</em> Alana.</span><span class="trans">This pretty girl is
    named Alana.</span>
-   我们 的 老板 <em>叫</em> John。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen de lǎobǎn
    <em>jiào</em> John.</span><span class="trans">Our boss is named
    John.</span>
-   我 的 狗 <em>叫</em> Max。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de gǒu
    <em>jiào</em> Max.</span><span class="trans">My dog is called
    Max.</span>
-   这 种 手机 <em>叫</em> iPhone。<span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng shǒujī
    <em>jiào</em> iPhone.</span><span class="trans">This kind of cell
    phone is called an iPhone.</span>
-   你爸爸 <em>叫</em> 什么？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ bàba <em>jiào</em>
    什么?</span><span class="trans">What is your dad's name?</span>
-   这 个 地方 <em>叫</em> 外滩。<span class="pinyin">Zhège dìfang
    <em>jiào</em> Wàitān.</span><span class="trans">This place is called
    the Bund.</span>

</div>
You can also ask people their names using 叫 (jiào):

<div class="liju">
-   你 <em>叫</em> 什么 名字 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>jiào</em>
    shénme míngzi?</span><span class="trans">What's your name? </span>

</div>
See also
--------

-   [Using the verb "xing"](Using_the_verb_"xing" "wikilink")
-   [Introducing people](Introducing_people "wikilink")

Sources and further reading
---------------------------

### Books

-   [Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1
    (3rd ed)](Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1_(3rd_ed) "wikilink") (pp.
    24-5)
    [→buy](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)
-   [现代汉语八百词（增订本）](现代汉语八百词（增订本） "wikilink") (p.
    303)
    [→buy](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)
-   [Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second
    Edition](Chinese:_An_Essential_Grammar,_Second_Edition "wikilink") (p.
    49)
    [→buy](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)

[Category:A1 grammar points](Category:A1_grammar_points "wikilink")
<Category:Verbs>