ChineseGrammarWiki/MD/A1/19.mw

{{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:

<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"]]
*[[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 <em>叫</em> 什么 名字 ？|grammar point|ASGUGWVZ}}
{{Similar|Using the verb "xing"}} 
{{Similar|Introducing people}}
{{Similar|Causative verbs}}    
{{POS|Verbs}}
{{Subprop|Verbs}}
{{Translation|call}}