German for English speakers School · Lesson 4

Exchanging names

Exchange names in German — Wie heißen Sie? (What's your name? formal) — and respond Ich heiße Cassian.

Conversation

  1. Lindo Lindo

    Und wie heißen Sie?

    And what is your name?

    Tip: <Sie> is the formal version of “You”.

  2. Cassian Cassian

    Ich heiße Cassian. Und wer sind Sie?

    My name is Cassian. And who are you?

  3. Lindo Lindo

    Ich bin Lindo, Ihr Lehrer.

    I am Lindo, your teacher.

  4. Cassian Cassian

    Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen, Lehrer Lindo.

    Nice to meet you teacher.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Du vs Sie in German?

Du = informal singular (friends, family). Sie = formal singular OR plural. Default to Sie for strangers; switch to du when invited.

Heißen vs Name?

Wie heißt du? (literally 'how are you called') is more common. Wie ist dein Name? is also correct but slightly more formal.

How do you ask 'who are you?'?

Wer bist du? (informal) or Wer sind Sie? (formal). More polite at first meeting: Wie heißen Sie?

Next lesson in School Asking about family members →