Explanation at your level:
When you meet someone, you say: Je m'appelle [Name]. This means 'My name is'. It is the most important verb for you right now. Just remember to change the little word at the start based on who you are talking about.
At this level, you start using s'appeler to ask about others. You can ask Comment s'appelle ton ami ? (What is your friend's name?). It is a simple way to keep a conversation going.
You can now use s'appeler in more complex sentences, such as describing people you have met or clarifying the names of things you don't recognize. You understand the reflexive nature of the verb better.
You recognize the nuance of using s'appeler versus other identification verbs. You can comfortably use it in professional settings, like introducing a colleague in a meeting, without sounding repetitive.
At this advanced stage, you use the verb with ease in various tenses, including the passé composé and imparfait. You might reflect on the etymology or use it in more literary descriptions of characters.
You master the subtle variations of naming. You understand how the verb functions in complex clauses and can use it to create precise, elegant introductions in formal or academic writing, maintaining perfect register control.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used for names.
- Reflexive verb.
- Essential for A1.
- Very common.
When you learn French, s'appeler is usually one of the very first verbs you encounter. It is the essential tool for introductions.
Because it is a reflexive verb, it always includes a pronoun like me, te, or se. Think of it as saying 'I call myself' rather than just 'I am'.
It is incredibly versatile and used by everyone from toddlers to world leaders. You will use it every single day when meeting new people or introducing your friends to others.
The word comes from the Latin appellare, which meant to address, call upon, or name. It has deep roots in legal and formal naming conventions.
Over centuries, the French language evolved to make the verb reflexive. This shift mirrors the development of other Romance languages, emphasizing the personal connection between the speaker and their identity.
Interestingly, the root appel is the same one that gives us the English word 'appeal' or 'appellation'. It is a fascinating example of how Latin roots branched out into different functions across European languages.
You use s'appeler in almost every social interaction. The most common structure is Je m'appelle [Name].
It is neutral in register, meaning it is perfectly appropriate for both a job interview and a casual chat at a cafe. You don't need to worry about being too formal or too informal with this one.
Common collocations include Comment vous appelez-vous ? for formal inquiries and Comment tu t'appelles ? for friends or peers.
While not an idiom itself, it is part of the phrase Comment s'appelle... ? used to ask for the name of an object or person.
1. Comment ça s'appelle ?: Used when you forget the name of an object. Example: 'I forgot the word for this, comment ça s'appelle ?'
2. Il s'appelle...: Used to introduce a third person. Example: 'Il s'appelle Marc.'
3. S'appeler par son prénom: To be on a first-name basis. Example: 'We are friends, we s'appelons par nos prénoms.'
4. Comment s'appellent-ils ?: Asking for the names of a group. Example: 'Comment s'appellent-ils, ces nouveaux voisins ?'
5. Tu t'appelles comment ?: A more casual, conversational way to ask for a name.
This is a first-group verb (ending in -er), but it has a spelling change: the 'l' doubles in most forms (e.g., j'appelle, tu appelles).
The IPA pronunciation is /sa.pə.le/. Note the silent 'e' at the end in many contexts, and the nasal-like quality of the 'a' sounds.
It rhymes with words like parler, manger, and aller. The stress usually falls on the final syllable of the verb root.
Fun Fact
The double 'l' in French comes from the Latin 'appellare'.
Pronunciation Guide
Soft 's' sound, clear 'a' vowels.
Similar to UK, focus on the 'e' at the end.
Common Errors
- Forgetting the double L sound
- Dropping the reflexive pronoun
- Mispronouncing the final 'é'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Reflexive verbs
Je me lave
Present tense
Je parle
Question formation
Comment...?
Examples by Level
Je m'appelle Marie.
I call myself Marie.
Reflexive pronoun.
Tu t'appelles comment ?
You call yourself how?
Question form.
Il s'appelle Paul.
He calls himself Paul.
Third person singular.
Elle s'appelle Sarah.
She calls herself Sarah.
Third person singular.
Nous nous appelons les Dupont.
We call ourselves the Duponts.
Plural reflexive.
Vous vous appelez comment ?
You call yourselves how?
Formal/plural.
Ils s'appellent Luc et Marc.
They call themselves Luc and Marc.
Plural third person.
Elles s'appellent Anna et Julie.
They call themselves Anna and Julie.
Plural third person.
Comment s'appelle ce film ?
Je ne sais pas comment il s'appelle.
Elle s'appelait Marie avant.
Nous nous sommes appelés hier.
Comment s'appellent ces fleurs ?
Il s'appelle comme son père.
On s'appelle plus tard ?
Comment vous appelez-vous ?
Il s'appelle ainsi depuis sa naissance.
Je me demande comment il s'appelle.
Ils s'appellent par leurs prénoms.
Ce village s'appelle Saint-Tropez.
Comment s'appelait ce restaurant ?
Il s'est fait appeler par son titre.
Nous nous appellerons demain.
Elle s'appelle comme une actrice.
Il s'appelle, à juste titre, le père de la nation.
Je ne me rappelle pas comment il s'appelle.
Il s'appelle ainsi dans le roman.
Elle s'appelle comme bon lui semble.
Comment s'appelle ce phénomène ?
Ils s'appellent mutuellement par des surnoms.
Il s'appelait autrefois autrement.
Comment s'appellerait ce projet ?
Le lieu s'appelle, selon la légende, la grotte bleue.
Il s'appelle ainsi par tradition familiale.
Peu importe comment il s'appelle.
Elle s'appelle, pour ainsi dire, une pionnière.
Comment s'appellerait cette nouvelle ère ?
Il s'est fait appeler par un nom d'emprunt.
On s'appelle, comme on dit, par le destin.
Il s'appelle comme il se doit.
Ce concept s'appelle, dans le jargon technique, la synergie.
Il s'appelle ainsi en hommage à son grand-père.
Quoi qu'il s'appelle, il reste le même.
Elle s'appelle, au sens propre, une artiste.
Il s'appelle comme le héros du livre.
Il s'est fait appeler ainsi par ses pairs.
Comment s'appellerait cette entité ?
Le processus s'appelle, par convention, l'osmose.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Comment ça s'appelle ?"
What is the name of this?
Comment ça s'appelle, ce plat ?
casual"S'appeler par son prénom"
To be on first-name terms
Nous nous appelons par nos prénoms.
neutral"Se faire appeler"
To go by a nickname
Il se fait appeler le Boss.
neutral"Comme il s'appelle"
What's-his-name
J'ai vu, euh, comme il s'appelle, Marc.
casual"Il s'appelle comme..."
To share a name with
Il s'appelle comme son père.
neutral"S'appeler ainsi"
To be named that way
Le village s'appelle ainsi.
neutralEasily Confused
Looks similar.
One is reflexive, one is not.
J'appelle mon ami vs Je m'appelle.
Both reflexive.
To remember vs to be called.
Je me rappelle mon nom.
Both mean naming.
Nommer is to name someone/something.
Il a nommé son fils.
Reflexive structure.
Used for names.
Je m'appelle.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + s'appeler + name
Je m'appelle Marc.
Comment + s'appeler + subject
Comment s'appelle-t-il ?
Subject + s'appeler + comme + comparison
Il s'appelle comme son père.
Il s'appelle + adjective
Il s'appelle ainsi.
S'appeler + par + noun
Ils s'appellent par leurs prénoms.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
10/10
Formality Scale
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Associate your name with a specific room.
When Native Speakers Use It
Every time they meet someone.
Cultural Insight
French people value names.
Grammar Shortcut
Just remember the reflexive pronoun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'l' sounds.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't forget the reflexive.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Pro Tip
Listen to French audio.
Quick Rule
Always check the subject.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-P-P-E-L: Always Pronounce Personal E-Labels.
Visual Association
Imagine yourself holding a name tag.
Word Web
Challenge
Introduce yourself to a mirror 5 times.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To call upon or address
Cultural Context
None, very standard.
Direct translation is 'My name is', but the reflexive structure is unique to French.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Introductions
- Je m'appelle
- Comment vous appelez-vous ?
- Enchanté
Meeting friends
- Comment tu t'appelles ?
- Il s'appelle comment ?
Professional
- Il s'appelle Monsieur Dupont.
- Comment s'appellent vos collègues ?
Travel
- Comment s'appelle ce village ?
- Comment s'appelle ce plat ?
Conversation Starters
"Comment t'appelles-tu ?"
"Comment s'appelle ton meilleur ami ?"
"Comment s'appelle ton film préféré ?"
"Comment s'appelle ton animal de compagnie ?"
"Comment s'appellent tes parents ?"
Journal Prompts
Describe how you introduce yourself.
Write about a time you forgot someone's name.
Explain why your name is special.
Introduce your family members.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, you can use it for places or things too.
It is a spelling rule for -er verbs.
Yes, 'Il s'appelait'.
No, it is very consistent.
Yes, absolutely.
Yes, 'Mon chien s'appelle...'
Yes, in biographies.
Yes, 's'appellent'.
Test Yourself
Je ___ Marie.
Je takes m'appelle.
Which means 'What is your name?'
This is the correct question form.
S'appeler is a reflexive verb.
It uses reflexive pronouns.
Word
Meaning
Match the pronoun to the verb form.
Subject + verb.
Il ___ Paul.
Il takes s'appelle.
How to say 'We are called'?
Correct reflexive for nous.
S'appeler is only for people.
It can be used for objects/places.
Word
Meaning
Reflexive conjugation.
Question order.
Score: /10
Summary
S'appeler is the essential verb you need to identify yourself and others in French.
- Used for names.
- Reflexive verb.
- Essential for A1.
- Very common.
Memory Palace Trick
Associate your name with a specific room.
When Native Speakers Use It
Every time they meet someone.
Cultural Insight
French people value names.
Grammar Shortcut
Just remember the reflexive pronoun.
Related Content
More communication words
À bientôt
A1See you soon
accepter
A2To accept.
accord
A2Harmony or concurrence in opinion or feeling.
accueillir
A2To greet someone in a particular way; to welcome.
actualité
A2Current events or news.
adresser
A2To address, to speak or write to someone.
affabulation
B2A fabricated story or statement, often fanciful or exaggerated.
affirmation
B2The action or process of affirming something; a statement of truth.
affirmer
B1To state or assert positively.
allô
A1Hello (on the phone); used to answer a call or start a phone conversation.
