How to Say ‘What is your name?’ in Japanese
おなまえはなんですか。
おなまえはなんですか。
💬 Usage Tip: Polite full question. In casual speech you can shorten to [おなまえは？] (still polite-ish).
🇯🇵 In Japan: People may also ask [お名前、いただけますか。] in formal settings (hotels, clinics).
Phrase Breakdown
おなまえおなまえ
name (polite)
お + なまえ (名前) adds politeness. Used when asking someone’s name respectfully.
おなまえは？
What’s your name?
はは
topic marker (as for…)
Marks the topic of the sentence. Pronounced “wa” though written は.
わたしはさくらです。
As for me, I’m Sakura.
なんなん
what
Casual/short form of なに (“what”). Often used before ですか in questions: なんですか (“what is it?”).
それはなんですか。
What is that?
ですかですか
is it? (polite question ending)
です (polite copula) + か (question particle). Together they make a polite question.
おなまえはなんですか。
What is your name?
Word-by-Word Breakdown
おお
[o]
honorific prefix (polite 'o-')
Makes the word more polite; used when asking someone’s name respectfully.
おなまえはなんですか、の「お」はていねいです。
The 'o' in 'onamae wa nan desu ka' is polite.
なまえなまえ
[namae]
name
Means “name.” In questions, 「おなまえ」 is the polite way to say “your name.”
おなまえはなんですか。なまえをおしえてください。
What is your name? Please tell me your name.
はは
[wa]
topic marker ('as for')
Marks the topic of the sentence: “As for (your) name, …”. Pronounced “wa” when written は.
おなまえはなんですか。ここで「は」はわとよみます。
What is your name? Here, 'は' is read as 'wa.'
なんなん
[nan]
what
Means “what.” In 「なんですか」 it forms a common polite question pattern: “What is it?”
おなまえはなんですか。なんは「なに」のいみです。
What is your name? 'Nan' means 'what.'
ですです
[desu]
to be (polite); am/is/are
Polite copula used in questions too: 「〜ですか」 = “Is it …?/Are you …?”
おなまえはなんですか。ここに「です」があります。
What is your name? 'Desu' is here.
かか
[ka]
question marker
Makes the sentence a question. Very common in polite conversation and self-introductions.
おなまえはなんですか。さいごに「か」がつきます。
What is your name? 'Ka' is added at the end.
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