To cry out, shout, or call aloud with the voice.
To be called or named, to call someone, or to tell someone to do something. A mouth (口) sending out a hooked, twisting cry (丩) that catches attention.
叫
Common Usage & Traps
- 叫名字 — to call someone's name
- 叫什么 — called what / what's it called
- 我叫… — my name is…
- 大叫 — to yell loudly
- 别叫 — don't shout / stop yelling
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我叫是…我叫…叫 already means 'to be called.' Adding 是 is like saying 'I am called am…'.
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我的猫叫可爱。我的猫很可爱。叫 only hands out names. To describe something, use 很 + adjective.
For giving your name, should you say 我叫小明 or 我的名字是小明?
Both are correct, but 我叫小明 is the fast everyday pick. Save the long version for forms.
叫 means 'to be called,' so 我叫小明 is the quickest way to hand over your name. It's what you actually say meeting friends, classmates, or a new coworker. 我的名字是小明 is not wrong, but it spells everything out and sounds like a form or a formal speech. In daily talk, 我叫… wins almost every time.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting someone | 我叫小明。 | 我的名字是小明。 |
| Feel | Fast, casual | Slow, slightly stiff |
| Best for | Almost every intro | Forms, official settings |
Can you use 叫 for a pet or a thing, like 我的猫叫大白?
Yes. Anything with a name takes 叫 — pets, stores, streets, even movies.
叫 is not just for people. If your cat has a name, you say 我的猫叫大白. Same for a restaurant, a street, or a movie. The one limit: 叫 only gives a name, it never describes what something is like. So 我的猫叫可爱 would mean its actual name is 'Cute,' not that your cat is cute.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Pet's name | 我的猫叫大白。 | 我的猫叫是大白。 |
| Describing the pet | 我的猫很可爱。 | 我的猫叫可爱。 |
Does 叫 mean 'to be called' or 'to shout'?
One meaning, two faces: 叫 is 'to call out.' Names and yelling are the same action at different volumes.
叫 has a single core meaning — to call out. Call out your own name and you get 我叫小明, which we translate as 'I'm called Xiaoming.' Call out loudly and you get 别叫了, which means 'stop yelling.' The word never changes; context does the work. If you want to be extra clear it's a name, add 名字: 你叫什么名字.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Giving your name | 我叫小明。 | 我是叫小明。 |
| Shouting | 别叫了！ | 别名字了！ |
Appears in Stories 11 stories
Before you read, meet the grandparents! This rhyming chant helps you practice the different names for maternal and paternal grandparents in Chinese. Listen to the beat and repeat.
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宝宝，宝宝，我问你，爸爸的爸爸 叫 什么？
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爸爸的爸爸 叫 爷爷。
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爸爸的妈妈 叫 什么？
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爸爸的妈妈 叫 奶奶。
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宝宝，宝宝，我再问你妈妈的爸爸 叫 什么？
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妈妈的爸爸 叫 姥爷。
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妈妈的妈妈 叫 什么？
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妈妈的妈妈 叫 姥姥。
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
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朋友们都 叫 他“小包”。
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朋友们 叫 他爸爸“老包”。
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小包爱人 叫 “小英”。
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朋友们 叫 他的女儿“包小妹”， 叫 他儿子“小小包”。
In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.
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我 叫 米小山。
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他 叫 谢大中。
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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小人物 名叫 元真。
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““我还可以说，我们这个地方，有一个卖饼干的，每天在街上 叫卖 饼干，但他还愿意关心国家大事，关心英美的政治制度，希望国家能走上正确的道路──只这件奇事，已够使我乐观，使我高兴了。
Before you read, think about the questions you ask every day. This simple poem shows you how to ask age, price, time, and more in friendly Chinese.
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新朋友， 叫 什么？
In this funny HSK 2 story, a boy asks his father for money every day. When his father tries to teach him a lesson, the boy's clever reply will make you laugh.
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钱老师只有一个孩子， 叫 钱学中。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
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有个 叫 谢安的人，很有才华，也很有名气。
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
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他姓钱，我们都喜欢 叫 他“老钱”，您可以 叫 他“小钱”。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
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他 叫 高友朋，是一个北京人。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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北京有一个有名的老茶馆儿， 叫 “老舍茶馆”。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
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我的大白猫 叫 ‘大白'。
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