How to Say ‘What is your name?’ in Japanese
お名前は何ですか？
おなまえはなんですか？
💬 Usage Tip: Polite inquiry pronounced (onamae wa nandesu ka?).
🇯🇵 In Japan: Names hold significant cultural value in Japan. Establishing a respectful tone early is important.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
おお
[o]
Polite marker
Used to make a noun more polite.
お名前を教えてください。
Please tell me your name.
名前なまえ
[namae]
Name
A term used to refer to one's name.
彼の名前は田中です。
His name is Tanaka.
はは
[wa]
Topic marker
Indicates the topic of the sentence.
天気はどうですか？
How is the weather?
何なに
[nani]
What
Used to ask a question or specify ‘what’.
あなたは何を食べますか？
What will you eat?
ですです
[desu]
Is/am/are
Describes a state or condition.
彼は先生です。
He is a teacher.
かか
[ka]
Question marker
Converts a statement into a question.
犬ですか？
Is it a dog?
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