French Phrase
Je m'appelle Sarah.
Meaning
This phrase means ‘My name is Sarah.’ It is the most common way to introduce yourself in French, using the reflexive verb ‘s’appeler’. The structure literally translates to ‘I call myself Sarah.’
When to use
Use it when meeting someone for the first time, answering the question ‘Comment tu t’appelles ?’ or ‘Quel est votre nom ?’. It works in both informal and semi‑formal settings, though you may add a polite formula (e.g., ‘Enchanté(e)’) in more formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jem'appelleSarah
Subject pronoun (Je)
‘Je’ is the first‑person singular subject pronoun, used before a verb to mean ‘I’.
Reflexive pronoun (m')
‘m’’ is the contracted form of the reflexive pronoun ‘me’ before a vowel or mute ‘h’; it translates to ‘myself’ in this context.
Reflexive verb (s’appeler)
‘s’appeler’ means ‘to be called’. When conjugated with ‘je’, it becomes ‘je m’appelle’, literally ‘I call myself’.
Proper noun (Sarah)
Names are not preceded by articles in French; they stay unchanged.
🗨In Conversation
Comment tu t'appelles ?
What’s your name?
Je m'appelle Sarah.
My name is Sarah.
✕Common Mistakes
Je suis Sarah.
‘Je suis’ is used for professions or characteristics, not for giving your name in standard introductions.
Je mappelle Sarah.
The reflexive pronoun must be contracted with an apostrophe; ‘m’appelle’ not ‘mappelle’.
Je m'appelle sarah.
Names are capitalised in French; write ‘Sarah’ with an initial capital.
↔Alternatives
Je suis Sarah.
I am Sarah.
Mon nom est Sarah.
My name is Sarah.
Je m'appelle Sarah, enchantée.
My name is Sarah, nice to meet you.
Cultural Tip
In French introductions, ‘Je m’appelle …’ is the default. Using ‘Je suis …’ to give your name sounds a bit abrupt and is more common when stating a profession (e.g., ‘Je suis médecin’). Also, French speakers often follow the introduction with a polite phrase such as ‘Enchanté(e)’ or ‘Ravi(e) de vous rencontrer’. Remember that the apostrophe in ‘m’appelle’ is mandatory; omitting it changes the meaning entirely.