How to say "what's your name?" in Modern Standard Arabic
مَا اسْمُكَ؟
ma ismuka?
- Without tashkeel
- ما اسمك؟
- Franco / chat alphabet
- ma esmak?
- Literally
- what name-your
When to use it
The standard question when meeting someone, here in the form addressed to a man. The ending changes with who you are asking: ismuka to a man, ismuki to a woman. It is neutral in tone; with an older person or in a formal setting the polite form with al-karim is better.
Other ways to say it
to a woman
مَا اسْمُكِ؟
ma ismuki?
What's your name?
Use when asking a woman.
to a group
مَا أَسْمَاؤُكُمْ؟
ma asma'ukum?
What are your names?
Use when asking several people at once.
very polite
مَا الِاسْمُ الْكَرِيمُ؟
ma al-ismu al-karimu?
What is the honourable name?
Use with elders, clients, or anyone you want to show respect.
blunt
مَنْ أَنْتَ؟
man anta?
Who are you?
Asks who someone is rather than their name; can sound abrupt.
How people reply
اِسْمِي...
ismi...
My name is...
أَنَا...
ana...
I am...
اِسْمِي أَحْمَد، وَأَنْتَ؟
ismi a7mad, wa-anta?
My name is Ahmad, and you?
In a sentence
مَرْحَباً، مَا اسْمُكَ؟
mar7aban, ma ismuka?
Hello, what's your name?
عَفْواً، مَا اسْمُكِ يَا آنِسَة؟
3afwan, ma ismuki ya anisa?
Excuse me, what is your name, miss?
مَا اسْمُكَ وَمِنْ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ؟
ma ismuka wa-min ayna anta?
What is your name and where are you from?