HSK1 Grammar: Basic verb "叫" (jiào)
Use this to: Use this to say what someone is called.
1. Grammar Introduction
叫 (jiào) means "to be called" or "to be named." Use it when you say someone's name, ask someone's name, or say what something is called.
Subject + 叫 + Name
This pattern is very common in introductions. In English we often say "My name is..." but in Chinese the natural beginner pattern is 我叫....
- Introducing your name: 我叫Yuli。 — My name is Yuli.
- Introducing another person: 她叫李月。 — Her name is Li Yue.
- Asking for a name: 你叫什么名字？ — What is your name?
- Naming objects: 这叫苹果。 — This is called an apple.
Important note about 是: 是 is not exactly the same as English is / am / are. In Chinese, 是 is usually used to connect two words or phrases with the same type of idea, often identity or category. You can say 我是Yuli。 or 我叫Yuli。 But we do not say 你是什么名字？ because 你 is a person, not a “name.” To ask someone’s name, use the verb 叫: 你叫什么名字？
2. Example Sentences
我叫Yuli。
我I叫am calledYuliYuli
。
My name is Yuli.
她叫李月。
她she叫is called李月Li Yue
。
Her name is Li Yue.
他叫王明。
他he叫is called王明Wang Ming
。
His name is Wang Ming.
你叫什么名字？
你you叫are called什么what名字name
？
What is your name?
这叫苹果。
这this叫is called苹果apple
。
This is called an apple.
3. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Sentence Ordering
Click the words to form correct sentences. These questions cover every sentence from Part 2.
1. What is your name?
你you叫are called什么名字what name？
2. This is called an apple.
这this叫is called苹果apple。
3. Her name is Li Yue.
她she叫is called李月Li Yue。
4. My name is Yuli.
我I叫am calledYuliYuli。
5. His name is Wang Ming.
他he叫is called王明Wang Ming。
Exercise 2: English to Chinese Translation
Question 1: This is called an apple.
Question 2: My name is Yuli.
Question 3: What is your name?
Question 4: His name is Wang Ming.
Question 5: Her name is Li Yue.
Exercise 3: Listening Practice
Question 1: Listen and type what you hear.
Question 2: Listen and type what you hear.
Question 3: Listen and type what you hear.
Question 4: Listen and translate to English:
Question 5: Listen and translate to English:
4. Vocabulary List
🎯 Verbs
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 叫 | jiào | to be called, to be named |
📦 Nouns and Pronouns
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 名字 | míngzi | name |
| 什么 | shénme | what |
| 这 | zhè | this |
| 苹果 | píngguǒ | apple |
| 我 | wǒ | I / me |
| 你 | nǐ | you |
| 他 | tā | he / him |
| 她 | tā | she / her |
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Wrong: 我是叫Yuli。
— Do not use 是叫 for “my name is.” 叫 already functions as the verb meaning “to be called” in this sentence, so there is no need to add another verb, 是.
✅ Correct: 我叫Yuli。
— My name is Yuli. - ❌ Wrong: 我叫学生。
— 叫 is for names, not identity or profession.
✅ Correct: 我是学生。
— I am a student. - ❌ Wrong: 什么名字你叫？
— The question word stays in the normal position.
✅ Correct: 你叫什么名字？
— What is your name?
🎉
Great job on completing this lesson!
Practice these sentences daily to master
"叫"
加油！(jiā yóu - Keep going!)