叫

• Pinyin: jiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 叫 = 口 (mouth) + 丩 (phonetic component) — to call out with the mouth

Meaning

To call; to be called. Used to state or ask someone's name, or to call out to someone.

Most commonly used in the pattern 我叫... (My name is...) for self-introductions. Also means to call out, shout, or summon someone. Can be used to order or ask someone to do something (叫他来).

Examples

1. 你叫什么名字？ What is your name?
2. 我叫王明。 My name is Wang Ming.
3. 妈妈叫我回家吃饭。 Mom called me home for dinner.

Usage Guide

Context: self-introduction, everyday

Tone: conversational

Do Say

• 你叫什么名字？(What is your name?)
• 叫他过来。(Call him over.)

Don't Say

• 我叫是王明。(Do not add 是 after 叫 — say 我叫王明 directly)

Origin & History

Originally depicted a mouth making a sound. The character combines 口 (mouth) on the left with a phonetic component on the right.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal