Meaning
Used to ask someone for their name.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'tuteo' (using tú) is very common even with strangers in shops or cafes. You will hear '¿Cómo te llamas?' much more often than in Latin America. Mexicans are generally more formal with people they don't know. It is safer to start with '¿Cómo se llama?' if the person is older than you. In Argentina, they use 'voseo'. Instead of '¿Cómo te llamas?', you might hear '¿Cómo te llamás?' (note the accent on the last 'a').
Drop the 'Tú'
You don't need to say '¿Cómo te llamas tú?'. The 'te' and the '-as' ending already make it clear you are talking to 'tú'.
Watch the 'S'
If you say '¿Cómo te llama?', you are actually asking 'How does he/she call you?' which makes no sense in this context.
Meaning
Used to ask someone for their name.
Drop the 'Tú'
You don't need to say '¿Cómo te llamas tú?'. The 'te' and the '-as' ending already make it clear you are talking to 'tú'.
Watch the 'S'
If you say '¿Cómo te llama?', you are actually asking 'How does he/she call you?' which makes no sense in this context.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct informal way to ask for a name.
Hola, ¿______ llamas?
The pronoun 'te' corresponds to the informal 'tú'.
Complete the verb conjugation.
¿Cómo te ______ (llamarse)?
The 'tú' form of 'llamarse' in the present tense is 'te llamas'.
Match the phrase to the person.
Which phrase would you use with a 5-year-old child?
Informal 'tú' is always used with children.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¡Hola! Me llamo Juan. ¿Y tú? B: Hola Juan, ______ María.
The speaker is identifying themselves, so they use the 'yo' form.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHola, ¿______ llamas?
The pronoun 'te' corresponds to the informal 'tú'.
¿Cómo te ______ (llamarse)?
The 'tú' form of 'llamarse' in the present tense is 'te llamas'.
Which phrase would you use with a 5-year-old child?
Informal 'tú' is always used with children.
A: ¡Hola! Me llamo Juan. ¿Y tú? B: Hola Juan, ______ María.
The speaker is identifying themselves, so they use the 'yo' form.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsYes, but it's very abrupt. It's like saying 'Your name?' in English. '¿Cómo te llamas?' is much more polite.
Spanish uses 'how' (cómo) because you are asking 'how' a person identifies themselves, not 'what' the object of their name is.
Related Phrases
¿Cómo se llama?
formal formWhat is your name? (Formal)
¿Cuál es tu nombre?
synonymWhat is your name?
Mucho gusto
builds onNice to meet you
