The most common and polite way to ask "What is your name, please?" in French is Comment vous appelez-vous, s'il vous plaît ?
French offers several ways to inquire about someone's name, varying based on the level of formality and the specific information you are seeking.
Formal Ways to Ask "What is Your Name?"
When addressing someone formally, such as an elder, a stranger, or in a professional setting, it is essential to use the appropriate "vous" form. Adding "s'il vous plaît" (please) further enhances politeness.
Here are the primary formal expressions:
French Phrase | English Translation | Usage Notes |
---|---|---|
Comment vous appelez-vous ? | What is your name? | This is the standard, most common, and polite way to ask for someone's name in a formal context. It can be used for one person or a group of people. |
Comment vous vous appelez ? | What is your name? | While correct, this is a slightly less common formal variation of the above. It's often heard in more casual, yet still polite, contexts among acquaintances. |
To make these phrases explicitly include "please" as requested:
- Comment vous appelez-vous, s'il vous plaît ? (What is your name, please?)
- Comment vous vous appelez, s'il vous plaît ? (What is your name, please?)
Informal Ways to Ask "What is Your Name?"
When speaking with friends, family members, children, or people your age in an informal setting, you would use the "tu" form. The informal "please" is "s'il te plaît".
- Comment t'appelles-tu, s'il te plaît ? (What is your name, please?) - This is the standard informal way.
- Comment tu t'appelles, s'il te plaît ? (What is your name, please?) - This is a more conversational and slightly less formal informal option.
Asking for Specific Name Information
Sometimes you might want to ask specifically for a first name or a last name. These questions are typically polite and direct.
- Votre prénom ? (Your first name?)
- This is a concise and polite way to ask for someone's first name in a formal context.
- Informally, you could ask: Ton prénom ?
- Votre nom (de famille) ? (Your last name?)
- This phrase is used to inquire about someone's family name or surname in a formal context. The "(de famille)" is optional but clarifies if there's any ambiguity.
- Informally, you could ask: Ton nom (de famille) ?
Understanding these variations allows for appropriate communication based on the social context and your relationship with the person you are addressing.