Traditional Chinese - Personal Identity

我叫___

Wǒ jiào ___.

My name is ___.

Meaning: 我叫___ (Wǒ jiào ___) means “My name is ___.” It is one of the most natural spoken ways to introduce your name.

When to use: Use it when meeting someone for the first time or starting a self-introduction.

Tip: Don’t use 是 (shì) for a simple name introduction here. 我叫Anna (Wǒ jiào Anna) sounds more natural than 我是Anna (Wǒ shì Anna) for “My name is Anna.”

我來自___

Wǒ láizì ___.

I am from ___.

Meaning: 我來自___ (Wǒ láizì ___) means “I am from ___.” You can use it with a country, city, or region.

When to use: Use it when telling someone your hometown, country, or background.

你是哪裡人

Nǐ shì nǎlǐ rén?

Where are you from?

Meaning: 你是哪裡人？ (Nǐ shì nǎlǐ rén?) means “Where are you from?” Literally, it asks “You are a where-person?”

When to use: Use it to ask someone about their hometown or origin. For a softer first-meeting tone, you can add 請問 (qǐngwèn), meaning “may I ask.”

我住在___

Wǒ zhù zài ___.

I live in ___.

Meaning: 我住在___ (Wǒ zhù zài ___) means “I live in ___.” It tells someone your current place of residence.

When to use: Use it for where you live now, such as a city, neighborhood, or country.

Tip: 來自 (láizì) is “be from,” but 住在 (zhù zài) is “live in.” Your hometown and current city may be different.

你住在哪裡

Nǐ zhù zài nǎlǐ?

Where do you live?

Meaning: 你住在哪裡？ (Nǐ zhù zài nǎlǐ?) means “Where do you live?”

When to use: Use it when asking someone about their current city or area. Add 請問 (qǐngwèn) to sound more polite.

我今年___歲。

Wǒ jīnnián ___ suì.

I am ___ years old.

Meaning: 我今年___歲 (Wǒ jīnnián ___ suì) means “I am ___ years old.” 今年 (jīnnián) means “this year.”

When to use: Use it to state your age in a simple, natural way.

你幾歲

Nǐ jǐ suì?

How old are you?

Meaning: 你幾歲？ (Nǐ jǐ suì?) means “How old are you?”

When to use: Use it when asking age in a direct, casual way. With adults you just met, 請問你幾歲？ (Qǐngwèn nǐ jǐ suì?) sounds more polite.

Tip: This question can feel personal. In real life, use it carefully with adults you just met.

我是___

Wǒ shì ___.

I am a ___.

Meaning: 我是___ (Wǒ shì ___) means “I am a ___.” Use it for a job, role, or identity.

When to use: Use it to say things like “I am a student,” “I am a teacher,” or “I am an engineer.”

我會說___

Wǒ huì shuō ___.

I speak ___.

Meaning: 我會說___ (Wǒ huì shuō ___) means “I speak ___.” It literally says you “can speak” a language.

When to use: Use it to tell someone which language or languages you can speak.

你會說___嗎？

Nǐ huì shuō ___ ma?

Do you speak ___?

Meaning: 你會說___嗎？ (Nǐ huì shuō ___ ma?) means “Do you speak ___?”

When to use: Use it to ask if someone can speak a language.

你可以叫我___。

Nǐ kěyǐ jiào wǒ ___.

You can call me ___.

Meaning: 你可以叫我___ (Nǐ kěyǐ jiào wǒ ___) means “You can call me ___.” It is great for giving a preferred name or nickname.

When to use: Use it when your legal name is long, or when you want people to use a shorter or friendlier name.

我姓___

Wǒ xìng ___.

My last name is ___.

Meaning: 我姓___ (Wǒ xìng ___) means “My last name is ___.” 姓 (xìng) means “family name” or “surname.”

When to use: Use it when giving your family name, especially in formal introductions or appointments.

你姓什麼

Nǐ xìng shénme?

What's your last name?

Meaning: 你姓什麼？ (Nǐ xìng shénme?) means “What’s your last name?”

When to use: Use it when asking for someone’s family name. Add 請問 (qǐngwèn) to sound more polite.