9 minutes · reading · grammar · conversation

Say your name

Introduce yourself with one dependable French sentence.

Say your name with je m’appelle

To say your name, use je m’appelle followed by your name. It works with anyone and in almost any introduction.

Introductions in context

Bonjour, je m’appelle Maya.

The safest complete introduction.
Translation

Hello, my name is Maya.

Moi, c’est Paul.

Natural in a friendly exchange.
Translation

I’m Paul.

Je m’appelle Inès. Et vous ?

Use vous with a stranger or in a polite situation.
Translation

My name is Inès. And you?

Moi, c’est Sam. Et toi ?

Use toi with a friend or peer in an informal exchange.
Translation

I’m Sam. And you?

Rule at a glance

Two ways to give your name

Je m’appelle works with anyone. Moi, c’est is relaxed, so keep it for informal conversation.

JE M’APPELLEyour name, in any situation
Je m’appelle Nora.
My name is Nora.
Je m’appelle Daniel.
My name is Daniel.
MOI, C’ESTyour name, in relaxed speech
Moi, c’est Sam.
I’m Sam.
Moi, c’est Léa.
I’m Léa.

Build the complete sentence

Give your name and pass it back

Open with je m’appelle or moi, c’est, add your name, then hand the question back

Opener

Je m’appelle
My name is
Moi, c’est
I’m

Name

Nora.
Nora
Sam.
Sam

Return question

Et vous ?
And you? — polite
Et toi ?
And you? — informal

See the structure

Je m’appelleMy name isNora.NoraEt vous ?And you? — polite

Change the blocks

Moi, c’estI’mSam.SamEt toi ?And you? — informal

Moi, c’est is relaxed, so it pairs naturally with et toi ? The next lesson explains when to choose toi or vous.

Why the apostrophe is there

In je m’appelle, the small m’ belongs to the verb s’appeler, “to be called”. You do not need to take the expression apart to use it.

The apostrophe is part of the written phrase: write m’appelle, not me appelle.

The introduction kit

je m’appelle…
my name is… / I’m called…
moi, c’est…
I’m…Conversational.
et vous ?
and you?Polite or plural.
et toi ?
and you?InformalInformal singular.
Practice

Choose the safe introduction

You are meeting a new colleague.

Which sentence clearly gives your name?

Answer choices
Practice

Complete the introduction

Je ___ Camille.

Practice

Put the introduction in order

Build: Hello, my name is Lina.

Choose words below
Lesson complete?

Save your progress when you are ready.

You can revisit every explanation and exercise at any time.