New here? This is lesson 3 of a free 240-lesson French course.
What's your name in French
Gaspard remembers Sam's very first morning at Café des Tilleuls, long before anyone said tu. Odile wants a name with the coffee, and Sam is new, so she will not guess.
Gaspard is already at the next table, as if he knew the answer.
By the end, you'll say your name, ask for a name with tu or vous, and tell people what to call you.
On that first morning, use vous with Odile: they have not met. Sam goes too fast with tu.
By the end of this lesson
Say your name, ask someone's name, and give a name to call you.
- Je m'appelle ___.My name is ___
- Tu t'appelles comment ?What's your name?
- Comment vous appelez-vous ?What's your name? (polite)
- Appelle-moi ___.Call me ___
- Moi, c'est Sam.I'm Sam
- C'est bien Sam ?You're Sam, right?
Scene — a name at the counter
A memory of Sam's first morning at the café on rue des Tilleuls. Sam is at the zinc counter. Odile has a pencil and the look of someone who wants a name before a coffee.
The window table still has its blank brass sign. Gaspard sits next to it on two chairs, café crème untouched.
Learn — say your name
Six short lines cover your name, a casual name question, a polite one, and a way to say what to call you.
You'll also hear a short I'm Sam, and a check that the name is right.
Je m'appelle ___.
My name is ___
When to use it: Say this when you give your name.
Learn it as one piece and add your name.
Say it: The e drops, so you say m'appelle.
Tu t'appelles comment ?
What's your name?
When to use it: Ask this of a friend or a regular.
Learn it as one piece with people you know.
Comment vous appelez-vous ?
What's your name? (polite)
When to use it: Ask this of a stranger, staff, or someone new.
Learn it as one piece with new people and staff.
Say it: The s in vous links as z into appelez.
Appelle-moi ___.
Call me ___
When to use it: Say this so a friend knows what to call you.
Learn it as one piece for a name friends can use.
Say it: The last e in Appelle is silent.
Moi, c'est Sam.
I'm Sam
When to use it: Say this to give your name in a short way.
Learn it as one piece and put your own name in.
Say it: The e drops, so you say c'est.
C'est bien Sam ?
You're Sam, right?
When to use it: Use this to check you have the right name.
Learn it as one piece when you check a name.
Say it: The ien in bien is a nasal sound.
Story — he already knew
Gaspard remembers Sam's first morning. Watch Odile take Sam's name at the counter. Gaspard will repeat it as if he already knew.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- Gaspard remembers it well: Sam's first morning. Odile looks up from the counter. The blank brass sign is still on the window table.
OdileBonjour.Hello.
SamBonjour.Hello.- OdileAsseyez-vous. Comment vous appelez-vous ?Please sit down. What's your name?
- SamJe m'appelle Sam. Et vous ?My name is Sam. And you?
- OdileJe m'appelle Odile.My name is Odile.
- Gaspard leans in from the next table, as if the name was old news.
GaspardC'est bien Sam ?You're Sam, right?- SamMoi, c'est Sam.I'm Sam.
- Sam turns to the yak and goes too fast with tu.
- SamAppelle-moi Sam. Tu t'appelles comment ?Call me Sam. What's your name?
- GaspardOn ne se connaît pas encore. Je m'appelle Gaspard.We don't know each other yet. My name is Gaspard.
- Gaspard stays on two chairs, café crème full. Since then they have all said tu.
Practice — tu or vous
Listen for a name, pick the polite question, fill a gap, and build a short line.
A few traps mix tu with vous, so check who you are talking to.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
French
Je m'appelle ___.Drop the English hereAppelle-moi ___.Drop the English hereMoi, c'est Sam.Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
Odile says 'Bonjour.' What do you say back?
Pick the reply
Odile says:
Pick the reply
Comment vous appelez-vous ?
What's your name?
And you reply with:
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
What's your name?
Tu t'appelles ____ ?
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
C'est bien Sam ?
Swap the word
Swap the word
A friend should know what to call you. Use the short form.
____-moi ___.
True or false?
True or false?
This is how you ask someone's name.
Build the line
Build the line
I'm Sam
, .
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You just gave your name to Odile. Ask the same of her, in two words.
Find the mistake
Find the mistake
Say it — give your name
Now you're Sam on that first morning, at Odile's counter. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- OdileComment vous appelez-vous ?What's your name?
- Sam (you)Give your name.
Give your name.
Je m'appelle ___.
My name is ___
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| French | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Je m'appelle ___. | My name is ___ | |
| Tu t'appelles comment ? | What's your name? | |
| Comment vous appelez-vous ? | What's your name? (polite) | |
| Appelle-moi ___. | Call me ___ | |
| Moi, c'est Sam. | I'm Sam | |
| C'est bien Sam ? | You're Sam, right? |
Save your progress — it’s free
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these names handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your name lines ready at the counter.
Open Yak Cards