Spanish Phrase
¿Puedes decirme tu nombre, por favor?
Meaning
This sentence is a polite request asking the listener to reveal their name. It combines a modal verb (puedes) with an infinitive (decir) and the indirect object pronoun (me), then adds the courtesy marker ‘por favor’. The tone is friendly but respectful, suitable for a first‑time encounter.
When to use
Use this phrase when you meet someone you don’t know yet, especially in semi‑formal settings such as a language class, a business networking event, or when you need to record a name for a reservation. It works well with people you address informally (tú).
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Puedesdecirmetunombre,porfavor?
Poder (puedes)
‘Puedes’ is the second‑person singular present of ‘poder’, used to ask if someone is able to do something.
Infinitive verb (decir)
The verb ‘decir’ stays in its infinitive form after ‘puedes’; it means ‘to say/tell’.
Indirect object pronoun (me)
‘Me’ indicates that the action of ‘decir’ is directed toward the speaker – ‘tell me’.
Possessive adjective (tu)
‘Tu’ (without accent) modifies ‘nombre’ and means ‘your’; it matches the informal ‘tú’ form.
Polite phrase (por favor)
Adding ‘por favor’ turns a request into a courteous one, similar to ‘please’ in English.
🗨In Conversation
¿Puedes decirme tu nombre, por favor?
Can you tell me your name, please?
Claro, me llamo Ana.
Sure, my name is Ana.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Puedes decirme su nombre, por favor?
Mixing the informal verb form ‘puedes’ with the formal possessive ‘su’ creates a register clash.
Puedes decirme tu nombre por favor
Missing the comma and question marks makes the sentence look like a statement rather than a question.
¿Puedes decirme tu nombre?
Leaving out ‘por favor’ reduces politeness, especially in a first‑meeting context.
↔Alternatives
¿Cómo te llamas, por favor?
What’s your name, please?
¿Me podrías decir tu nombre?
Could you tell me your name?
¿Podrías decirme tu nombre?
Would you be able to tell me your name?
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries ‘¿Cómo te llamas?’ is the most common way to ask for a name, but ‘¿Puedes decirme tu nombre?’ sounds a bit more formal and is useful when you need a clear, direct request (e.g., filling out a form). Remember to match the level of formality: use ‘su nombre’ if you’re speaking to someone you’d address with ‘usted’. Adding ‘por favor’ is always appreciated and softens the request.