nire izena ... da
Saying Your Name
The simplest way is [name] naiz: Ane naiz. Also common is Nire izena [name] da. In both, the verb comes last.
How It Works
Saying your name
- (Ni) Ane naiz: I am Ane. Naiz means I am. See izan present: naiz, zara, da.
- Nire izena Ane da: My name is Ane. Nire means my and izena means the name. See nire, zure, haren, gure, zuen, haien.
- (Nik) Ane dut izena: My name is Ane, literally I have Ane as a name. Dut means I have. See ukan present: dut, duzu, du.
Asking a name
- Zein da zure izena?: What is your name?
- Nola duzu izena?: What is your name?
- Nor zara (zu)?: Who are you?
Introducing someone: Hau Miren da (This is Miren).
After an introduction, say Pozten naiz! (Nice to meet you!) or the traditional Urte askotarako! (literally for many years). A simple reply is Baita ni ere! (Me too!).
Word order. The name is the new information, so it goes right before the verb: Nire izena Ane da. You can also put the name first and say Ane da nire izena. See focus (galdegaia) before the verb.
Examples (6)
- Kaixo, Ane naiz.
Hi, I am Ane.
Word by Word: Hi, Ane I-am.
- Nire izena Mikel da.
My name is Mikel.
Word by Word: My name-the Mikel is.
- — Nola duzu izena? — Jon dut izena.
What is your name? — My name is Jon.
Word by Word: How you-have name-the? — Jon I-have name-the.
- Zein da zure izena?
What is your name?
Word by Word: Which is your name-the?
- Hau Miren da, nire laguna.
This is Miren, my friend.
Word by Word: This Miren is, my friend-the.
- — Pozten naiz! — Baita ni ere!
Nice to meet you! — Likewise!
Word by Word: Being-glad I-am! — Also I too!
Common Mistakes
Using da with ni.
Ni Ane da.Ni Ane naiz.With ni (I), the verb is naiz. Da is for he, she or it, as in Nire izena Ane da.
Using naiz after nire izena.
Nire izena Ane naiz.Nire izena Ane da.The subject here is izena (the name), not ni, so the verb is da. Say Ane naiz or Nire izena Ane da.
Putting da before the name.
Nire izena da Ane.Nire izena Ane da.The word right before da is the focus, so Nire izena da Ane puts the focus on nire izena instead of on the name. In an introduction the name is the new information, so say Nire izena Ane da or Ane da nire izena.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Saying your name needs izan and the word for my.
Related Patterns
- ukan: dut / duzu / duThe Verb to Have (Dut, Duzu, Du)
The verb in Nola duzu izena? and Ane dut izena.
Level 1 - zeinWhich (Zein)
The question word in Zein da zure izena?
Level 2 - The Focus Goes Before the Verb
Explains why the name goes right before the verb.
Level 1 - kaixo / egun on / zer moduz?Greetings
Greetings that come before an introduction.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice nire izena ... da in Bubblegum
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