German Phrase
Ich bin John Doe.
Meaning
Literally, "I am John Doe." It is a straightforward way to state your name when introducing yourself.
When to use
Use this sentence the first time you meet someone, when filling out a form, or whenever you need to tell others who you are. It works in both formal and informal settings, though in very formal contexts Germans often prefer "Mein Name ist …" or "Ich heiße …".
✦Grammar Breakdown
IchbinJohnDoe
Personal pronoun
"Ich" means "I" and is the first‑person singular subject pronoun in German.
Verb "sein" (to be)
"bin" is the 1st‑person singular present form of the irregular verb "sein".
Proper name
Names are not declined in German; they stay exactly as they are, even after "bin".
🗨In Conversation
Wie heißt du?
What’s your name?
Ich bin John Doe.
I am John Doe.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich ist John Doe.
"ist" is the 3rd‑person singular form of "sein"; the correct 1st‑person form is "bin".
Ich bin john doe.
Names are not translated; keep the original spelling and capitalization.
↔Alternatives
Mein Name ist John Doe.
My name is John Doe.
Ich heiße John Doe.
I am called John Doe.
Cultural Tip
While "Ich bin …" is perfectly correct, native speakers more often introduce themselves with "Ich heiße …" or "Mein Name ist …". "Ich bin" is also used for professions, nationalities, or roles (e.g., "Ich bin Lehrer"). Using it with a name sounds a bit informal but is widely understood.