German Phrase
Ok, wie heißt du?
Meaning
A casual way to ask someone’s name after a brief acknowledgement. It is equivalent to ‘Okay, what’s your name?’ in English and is used in informal, friendly conversations.
When to use
Use this phrase with people you already know or when the conversation has a relaxed tone. It is appropriate among friends, classmates, or when you have been invited to use the informal ‘du’. Avoid it in formal settings or with strangers you haven’t been given permission to address informally.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ok,wieheißtdu?
Wie (question word)
‘Wie’ introduces a ‘how/what’ question and is placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Verb‑second (V2) rule
In main clauses the finite verb occupies the second position, so the verb ‘heißt’ comes right after ‘wie’.
Du (informal ‘you’)
‘du’ is the informal singular pronoun; it follows the verb in a V2 question.
Verb ‘heißen’
‘heißen’ means ‘to be called’. In the 2nd‑person singular present it is conjugated as ‘heißt’.
🗨In Conversation
Ok, wie heißt du?
Okay, what’s your name?
Ich heiße Anna.
My name is Anna.
✕Common Mistakes
Wie du heißt?
The verb must stay in second position; the subject follows the verb in a question.
Wie heißt Sie?
Mixing the informal verb form with the formal pronoun is incorrect. Use ‘Wie heißen Sie?’ for formal address.
Ok, was heißt du?
‘Was’ means ‘what’ (as a thing) and does not ask for a name. Use ‘wie’ for ‘what (is your name)’.
↔Alternatives
Wie ist dein Name?
What is your name?
Wie heißt du denn?
So, what’s your name?
Wie heißt du bitte?
Could you tell me your name, please?
Wie heißen Sie?
What is your name? (formal)
Cultural Tip
German distinguishes between the informal ‘du’ and the formal ‘Sie’. Only switch to ‘du’ after both parties agree – often signalled by a handshake and the phrase ‘Wir können uns duzen.’ The English interjection ‘Ok’ is widely used in spoken German, especially among younger speakers, but in very formal contexts you might replace it with ‘Also’ or omit it entirely.