Dialogue
Correcting how someone says your name in French
Correct a mistaken name politely in French, offer a shorter name and practise a sixteen-line conversation that keeps the introduction moving.
- A1
- 16 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the A1 notebook →
In short
Say En fait, je m’appelle… to give your correct name gently. To offer an easier or preferred name, add Vous pouvez m’appeler… Then return to the introduction with Et vous ? You can correct the detail and keep the conversation friendly.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Someone has just called you Marina, but your name is Mariana. You need one small correction, rather than a long explanation. En fait introduces the correct information. Je m’appelle supplies the name itself. Vous pouvez m’appeler gives the other person permission to use a short name you choose.
Mariana meets the organiser
- Paul
Bonjour, vous êtes Marina ?
English
Hello, are you Marina?
- Mariana
Bonjour ! En fait, je m’appelle Mariana.
Hello! Actually, my name is Mariana.
English
Hello! Actually, my name is Mariana.
- Paul
Ah, pardon, Mariana !
English
Ah, sorry, Mariana!
- Mariana
Oui, c’est ça.
Yes, that’s right.
English
Yes, that’s right.
- Paul
Je suis Paul. Bienvenue !
English
I’m Paul. Welcome!
- Mariana
Merci, Paul. Vous pouvez m’appeler Mari.
Thank you, Paul. You can call me Mari.
English
Thank you, Paul. You can call me Mari.
- Paul
Mari, d’accord. Vous êtes nouvelle dans le groupe ?
English
Mari, all right. Are you new to the group?
- Mariana
Oui, c’est ma première rencontre.
Yes, it’s my first meeting.
English
Yes, it’s my first meeting.
- Paul
Vous habitez ici ?
English
Do you live here?
- Mariana
Oui, j’habite à Tours. Et vous ?
Yes, I live in Tours. And you?
English
Yes, I live in Tours. And you?
- Paul
Moi aussi. Vous êtes étudiante ?
English
Me too. Are you a student?
- Mariana
Non, je travaille dans une librairie.
No, I work in a bookshop.
English
No, I work in a bookshop.
- Paul
Ah, très bien ! Votre badge est ici.
English
Ah, very good! Your badge is here.
- Mariana
Merci. Sur le badge, c’est bien Mariana ?
Thank you. Does the badge say Mariana?
English
Thank you. Does the badge say Mariana?
- Paul
Oui : Mariana Lopes.
English
Yes: Mariana Lopes.
- Mariana
Parfait. Enchantée, Paul !
Perfect. Nice to meet you, Paul!
English
Perfect. Nice to meet you, Paul!
Choose the correction you need
| Purpose | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Give the correct name | En fait, je m’appelle Mariana. | Actually, my name is Mariana. |
| Offer a short name | Vous pouvez m’appeler Mari. | You can call me Mari. |
| Confirm a successful attempt | Oui, c’est ça. | Yes, that’s right. |
| Ask for another attempt | Vous pouvez répéter, s’il vous plaît ? | Could you repeat that, please? |
A preferred name and a pronunciation correction are different requests. Mari in this conversation is the name Mariana offers for everyday use. It does not replace her full name on every document. If the person already has the right written name but says it incorrectly, say your name clearly once, then let them try again. You can use C’est presque ça ! to acknowledge an attempt before repeating the part you want to change.
C’est presque ça ! Mariana.
That’s almost right! Mariana.
Keep je m’appelle together. The apostrophe joins me to appelle; do not add suis before it. If you prefer the full name, you can simply repeat it: Je préfère Mariana. Merci ! There is no need to offer a nickname. With a friend using tu, replace Vous pouvez m’appeler with Tu peux m’appeler.
Try it with your own name
Practise a three-turn exchange: the other person makes a small mistake, you give your correct name, and they repeat it. Finish with Oui, c’est ça, merci. Then add one new detail, such as your city or your work. This gives the correction a clear ending and creates a natural next step in the conversation.