Using the Verb “叫 (jiào)” in Chinese

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The verb 叫 (jiào) is an essential word in Mandarin Chinese. It means both “to call” and “to be called,” making it a straightforward way to state names. For beginners, this verb might seem a bit unusual, so let’s break it down with some humor and fun examples.

Structure

The basic structure for using 叫 (jiào) is:

Subj. + 叫 + [Name]

This can be used to state someone’s full name or just their first name.

Structure in Hindi:

विषय + 叫 + [नाम]

Examples

Here are some examples, with funny twists to make learning more enjoyable. Each example includes pronunciation, an English translation, and a Hindi translation.

1. 我叫 Tom。
   
   Wǒ jiào Tom.
   
   My name is Tom.
   
   मेरा नाम टॉम है।
2. 他叫李小龙。
   
   Tā jiào Lǐ Xiǎolóng.
   
   His name is Li Xiaolong.
   
   उसका नाम ली शाओलॉन्ग है।
3. 我哥哥叫老马。
   
   Wǒ gēge jiào Lǎo Mǎ.
   
   My brother is called Lao Ma.
   
   मेरा भाई लॉ मǎ के नाम से जाना जाता है।
4. 那 叫 什么？
   
   Nà jiào shénme?
   
   What is that called?
   
   उसे क्या कहते हैं?
5. 这 个 美女 叫 Alana。
   
   Zhège měinǚ jiào Alana.
   
   This pretty girl is named Alana.
   
   इस सुंदर लड़की का नाम अलाना है।

Asking Names

You can also ask people their names using 叫 (jiào):

你叫 什么 名字？

Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?

What’s your name?

आपका नाम क्या है?

Exceptions

While 叫 (jiào) is versatile, remember it strictly means “to be called.” For formal introductions, you might use other verbs like 是 (shì), meaning “to be.”

Grammar Explanation in Hindi and English

Using 叫 (jiào):

• English: The verb 叫 (jiào) means “to call” or “to be called.” Use it to state names or ask someone’s name.
• Hindi: क्रिया 叫 (jiào) का अर्थ है “कहना” या “कहलाना।” इसका उपयोग नाम बताने या किसी का नाम पूछने के लिए करें।