Italian Phrase
Come ti chiami, per favore?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard informal way to ask someone their name in Italian, with an added layer of politeness. It literally translates to 'How do you call yourself, please?'. It uses the reflexive verb 'chiamarsi' which is the most common way to discuss names in Italian.
When to use
Use this phrase when meeting someone new in a casual or semi-casual setting, such as a social gathering, a classroom, or among peers. The addition of 'per favore' makes the inquiry sound more gentle and courteous.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cometi chiamiper favore
Come
An interrogative adverb meaning 'how'. In Italian, you don't ask 'what' a name is, but 'how' a person calls themselves.
Ti chiami
The second-person singular informal form of the reflexive verb 'chiamarsi'. 'Ti' is the reflexive pronoun meaning 'yourself'.
Per favore
A fixed adverbial phrase meaning 'please'. It is used to soften requests or questions.
🗨In Conversation
Ciao! Come ti chiami, per favore?
Hi! What is your name, please?
Mi chiamo Luca, piacere di conoscerti!
My name is Luca, nice to meet you!
✕Common Mistakes
Qual è il tuo nome?
While grammatically correct, this is a literal translation from English and sounds very robotic or like an official form; 'Come ti chiami' is much more natural.
Come si chiami?
This is a common conjugation error; 'si chiama' is used for formal address, while 'ti chiami' is for informal.
↔Alternatives
Come ti chiami?
What is your name? (Standard informal)
Come si chiama?
What is your name? (Formal)
Il tuo nome è?
Your name is? (Very casual/shorthand)
Cultural Tip
In Italy, the distinction between formal (Lei) and informal (tu) is important. While 'Come ti chiami' is perfect for people your own age, always use 'Come si chiama' for elders or in professional contexts to show respect. Adding 'per favore' is a nice touch that reflects the Italian value of courtesy.