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A first language exchange in French: ask what to call someone

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Ask what someone prefers to be called in French. Build short questions that distinguish asking a name from choosing how to address the person.

In short

Ask Comment je vous appelle ? when you want to know what to call someone. Comment vous vous appelez ? asks for their name. If you already know it, a specific question is clearer: Je peux vous appeler Nora ? The person can then confirm their preferred form.

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A receptionist speaking with a visitor wearing a blank badge.
Ask which name the person prefers you to use: Comment je vous appelle ? Illustration: Atelier

At a first language exchange, a badge may show a surname while the person introduces themselves with a first name. You want to choose a comfortable way to address them. Ask a short question and use the answer they give. There is no need to guess whether a long name has a nickname.

Comment vous vous appelez ?What is your name?

Focus: Ask for the identity detail

Je m’appelle Nora Meunier.
My name is Nora Meunier.

Comment je vous appelle ?What should I call you?

Focus: Ask which form to use

Vous pouvez m’appeler Nora.
You can call me Nora.

Build the question for each purpose

Tap the words in the right order. Tap a placed word to send it back.

  1. Ask for the person’s name, using vous.

  2. Ask what you should call the person, using vous.

  3. Ask permission to call the person Nora.

  4. Ask whether the person prefers their first name.

  5. Ask how the person pronounces their first name.

  6. Ask the person to repeat their first name.

Let the answer guide the next sentence

If the person answers Vous pouvez m’appeler Nora, use Nora in your next sentence: Merci, Nora. If they answer Madame Meunier, use that form. A preference about the name does not automatically change vous to tu. You can address someone by their first name while continuing to use vous.

Merci, Nora. Vous êtes dans quel groupe ?

Thank you, Nora. Which group are you in?

For pronunciation, Comment vous prononcez votre prénom ? asks the person to say their name. Listen to their own version and repeat it if useful. Vous pouvez répéter ? requests another attempt. These questions focus on the person’s choice and pronunciation rather than deciding that a name must be shortened.

Two different jobs for vous

In Comment vous vous appelez ?, the first vous is the subject and the second is the reflexive pronoun belonging to s’appeler. In Comment je vous appelle ?, je is the subject and vous is the person being addressed by a name. The change from vous to je changes whose naming action the question is about.

Question 1No account needed
You know the name is Nora Meunier. Which question asks permission to use Nora?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je peux vous appeler Nora ?. Je peux vous appeler Nora asks specifically whether Nora is an acceptable form of address.

Question 2No account needed
The person says “Vous pouvez m’appeler Nora”. What follows naturally?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Merci, Nora.. Thanking Nora and using the offered name acknowledges the preference directly.

In a relaxed group already using tu, the equivalent question is Je peux t’appeler Nora ? Keep the address form consistent through the exchange. The practical goal is small: learn which name to use, confirm it once and carry on with the conversation.

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