How to say "what's your name?" in Levantine Arabic
شُو اسْمَك؟
shu ismak?
- Without tashkeel
- شو اسمك؟
- Franco / chat alphabet
- shou ismak?
- Literally
- what name-your?
When to use it
This is the standard, everyday way to ask someone's name in the Levant. It is used in casual and semi-formal situations with peers or people younger than you. For older individuals, authority figures, or in formal settings, speakers often switch to 'shu ism 7adertak' (what is the name of your presence) to show respect.
Other ways to say it
to a woman
شُو اسْمِك؟
shu ismik?
What's your name?
Use this when addressing a single female.
to a group
شُو اسْمكُن؟
shu ismkun?
What are your names?
Use this when addressing two or more people (in Jordanian and Palestinian, 'shu ismkom' is more common).
formal, to a man
شُو اسْم حَضِرْتَك؟
shu ism 7adertak?
What is your name?
Use this to show respect to an older man, a customer, or in a professional setting.
formal, to a woman
شُو اسْم حَضِرْتِك؟
shu ism 7adertik?
What is your name?
Use this to show respect to an older woman, a customer, or in a professional setting.
How people reply
اسْمي...
ismi...
My name is...
أنا...
ana...
I am...
In a sentence
مَرْحَبا، أنا جْديد هون. شُو اسْمَك؟
mar7aba, ana jdid hon. shu ismak?
Hello, I'm new here. What's your name?
عَفْواً، ما سْمِعْت مْنيح، شُو اسْمِك؟
3afwan, ma sme3t mni7, shu ismik?
Sorry, I didn't hear well, what's your name? (to a woman)
أهْلاً فيكُن، شُو اسْمكُن؟
ahlan fikun, shu ismkun?
Welcome to you all, what are your names?