In this lesson, you’ll learn how to introduce yourself in Italian, how to ask someone What is your name? and how to respond properly. Let's begin!
There are two main ways to ask What's your name? in Italian:
Come ti chiami?
This is the informal way of asking What’s your name? Use it when talking to people your age or friends.
Come si chiama?
This is the formal version, used when meeting strangers or showing respect, such as when speaking to an older person or in a professional setting.
Come means how, while ti chiami and si chiama are forms of the verb chiamarsi, which means to be called. It is a reflexive verb.
You can answer both questions with Mi chiamo followed by your name:
Mi chiamo Chiara
My name is Chiara.
If you want to ask someone else’s name, simply replace ti with si:
Come si chiama tua sorella?
What is your sister's name?
Si chiama Giorgia.
Her name is Giorgia.
Come si chiama il tuo gatto?
What is your cat’s name?
Si chiama Taco.
His name is Taco.
Qual è il tuo nome?
This literally means What is your name? You can respond with:
Il mio nome è Paolo
My name is Paolo.
If you want to ask someone's surname, you can say:
Qual è il suo cognome?
What is your surname? Cognome means surname in Italian.
There are three ways to say Nice to meet you in Italian:
Piacere di conoscerti
Informal version, used when meeting people you know or are familiar with.
Piacere di conoscerla
Formal version, used when meeting someone you want to show respect to.
Piacere di conoscervi
Used when addressing a group of people.
All of these phrases mean It’s a pleasure to meet you. You can respond with:
Piacere mio
The pleasure is mine.
Ciao, come ti chiami?
Mi chiamo Anna, e tu?
Io mi chiamo Nicola.
Hi, what’s your name? My name is Anna, and you? My name is Nicola.
Salve, come si chiama?
Io mi chiamo Luca, e lei come si chiama?
Piacere di conoscerla, Luca. Io mi chiamo Sofia.
Piacere mio.
Hello, what’s your name? My name is Luca, and yours? Nice to meet you, Luca. My name is Sofia. – The pleasure is mine.
Ciao Anna, ti presento Samuele, lui è un mio amico.
Piacere di conoscerti Samuele, piacere mio.
Hi Anna, let me introduce you to Samuele, he’s a friend of mine. – Nice to meet you Samuele, the pleasure is mine.
