Mandarin Introductions: Scripts Beginners Can Use Today

Last updated on October 16, 2026
BY Paul Foong
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Here is a self introduction in Mandarin you can say today: 你好,我叫大卫,我是美国人,很高兴认识你。 (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Dàwèi, wǒ shì Měiguó rén, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.) In English: “Hello, my name is David, I’m American, nice to meet you.” Swap in your own name and country. The rest of this guide shows how each piece works and how to adapt it.

TL;DR:

Use the respectful greeting and pronoun with elders, clients, teachers, or senior colleagues; switch to the casual form with friends and peers.

When introducing yourself in Chinese, give both family and given names, placing the family name first; using it alone can sound impolite.

Use the name verb for your name and the classification verb for nationality or profession; do not use the latter before adjectives.

Add only one or two personal details, then ask a question in return; omit age if it feels too personal.

Practice tones by recording yourself and comparing with a native example, because tone changes can alter a word’s meaning.

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What are the basic phrases for greetings, names, origin, and job?
How do I add age, family, and hobbies to my introduction?
What do full self-introductions sound like in casual, classroom, and business settings?
Which pronunciation and grammar points matter most?
What cultural habits should I know before introducing myself?
How can I practice with fill-in-the-blank templates and drills?
How do I introduce myself on social media or messaging apps in Mandarin?
How does a self-introduction change between formal and informal video calls?
What are the best tips for memorizing and practicing my Mandarin introduction?
What is my teaching take on getting better faster?
How can our courses help you speak with confidence?
FAQ
Sources

What are the basic phrases for greetings, names, origin, and job?

A standard polite introduction follows a five-step order: greeting, name, origin, profession, and a polite closer. Once you know some options for each step, you can build your own line.

Greetings. Pick by who you are talking to and what time it is.

你好 (nǐ hǎo): “Hello.” The default for peers and new acquaintances.
您好 (nín hǎo): “Hello” with extra respect, for elders, clients, and senior colleagues.
大家好 (dà jiā hǎo): “Hello, everyone.” Perfect for a class or a meeting.
早上好 (Zhang hǎo): “Good morning.”
下午好 (IAU hǎo): “Good afternoon.”
晚上好 (washing hǎo): “Good evening.”

Stating your name. Here are some common formulas.

我叫… (wǒ jiào…): “I’m called…” The most natural for everyday use. Example: 我叫王朋 (wǒ jiào Wang Péng), “My name is Wang Peng.”

我姓… (wǒ xìng…): “My surname is…” Often paired with the full name. Example: 我姓田, 叫博雯 (wǒ xìng Tián, jiào Bowen), “My surname is Tian, and I’m called Bowen.”
我的名字是… (wǒ de míngzi shì…): “My name is…” A little more formal and a bit slower. Example: 我的名字是李明 (wǒ de míngzi shì LI Míng).

Give both family and given names. Referring to someone by family name alone is considered impolite, so a complete introduction usually carries both, as in 我叫王朋.

Saying where you are from. These patterns cover many common cases.

我是…人 (wǒ shì… rén): “I am a person from…” Example: 我是澳大利亚人 (wǒ shì Somalia rén), “I’m Australian.” Example: 我是上海人 (wǒ shì Shanghai rén), “I’m from Shanghai.”
我来自… (wǒ láizì…): “I come from…” Slightly more polished. Example: 我来自加拿大 (wǒ láizì Canada), “I come from Canada.”
A softer option for a city: 我住在… (wǒ zhù zài…), “I live in…” Example: 我住在新加坡 (wǒ zhù zài Xinjiang).

Describing your job. These patterns serve different purposes.

我是… (wǒ shì…): names your role. Example: 我是老师 (wǒ shì Laos), “I’m a teacher.” Example: 我是工程师 (wǒ shì gōngchéngshī), “I’m an engineer.”
我在…工作 (wǒ zài… gōngzuò): says where you work. Example: 我在银行工作 (wǒ zài linsang gōngzuò), “I work at a bank.” Example: 我在一家软件公司工作 (wǒ zài yī jiā Rumanian gōngsī gōngzuò), “I work at a software company.”
Students can say 我是学生 (wǒ shì pushing), “I’m a student.”

Put them together and you get a complete first introduction. Say it slowly, then speed up once the tones feel automatic.

How do I add age, family, and hobbies to my introduction?

After the core line, one or two personal details make you sound warm instead of rehearsed. Keep each detail to a single short sentence, then hand the conversation back with a question.

Age.

我…岁 (wǒ… suì): “I’m … years old.” Example: 我…岁.
If age feels too personal, skip it. In many social settings it is perfectly fine to leave it out, and you can mention something else, such as how long you have lived in a city.

Family.

我有一个哥哥 (wǒ yǒu yī gè gene): “I have an older brother.”
我有孩子 (wǒ yǒu háizi): “I have children.”
我家有…口人 (wǒ jiā yǒu… kǒu rén): “There are … people in my family.”
Useful words: 爸爸 (baba) dad, 妈妈 (mama) mom, 姐姐 (jiějie) older sister, 妹妹 (median) younger sister, 弟弟 (Didi) younger brother.

Hobbies.

我喜欢… (wǒ xǐhuan…): “I like…” Example: 我喜欢看书 (wǒ xǐhuan kàn SHU), “I like reading.” Example: 我喜欢旅行 (wǒ xǐhuan lǚxíng), “I like to travel.”
我的爱好是… (wǒ de àihào shì…): “My hobby is…” Example: 我的爱好是跑步 (wǒ de àihào shì pǎobù), “My hobby is running.” Example: 我的爱好是打篮球 (wǒ de àihào shì DA Landis), “My hobby is playing basketball.”

Follow-up questions. Introductions work best as an exchange.

你呢? (nǐ ne?): “And you?” The easiest way to bounce the question back.
你做什么工作? (nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?): “What do you do for work?” A natural reply: 我是设计师 (wǒ shì Swedish), “I’m a designer.”
你喜欢什么? (nǐ xǐhuan shénme?): “What do you like?”
For a senior person, switch to 您 (nín): 您做什么工作? (nín zuò shénme gōngzuò?)

Formal or casual? 我的名字是… and 我在…工作 sound a notch more formal. 我叫… and 你呢? sound relaxed and friendly. If you are unsure, use the formal version first. Nobody is offended by extra politeness, and you can relax the register once the other person does.

What do full self-introductions sound like in casual, classroom, and business settings?

Below are three short scripts. Each one is built from the phrases above, so you can see how the pieces snap together.

Casual (meeting a new friend). 你好,我叫大卫。我喜欢旅行和看电影。你呢? (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Dàwèi. Wǒ xǐhuan lǚxíng hé kàn dancing. Nǐ ne?) “Hi, I’m David. I like traveling and watching movies. And you?” The greeting and name come first, the hobby adds personality, and 你呢 invites a reply.
Classroom or workshop. 大家好,我叫玛丽。我是美国人,现在在学中文。我在初级班。很高兴认识大家,请多指教。 (Dàjiā hǎo, wǒ jiào Mali. Wǒ shì Měiguó rén, banzai zài xué Zhōngwén. Wǒ zài Chuck bān. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi dàjiā, qǐng duō zhǐjiào.) “Hello everyone, I’m Mary. I’m American and I’m learning Chinese now. I’m in the beginner class. Nice to meet you all, please look after me.” Mentioning your level tells the teacher where to pitch their feedback.
Business networking (elevator-length). 您好,我姓陈,叫陈安。我是市场经理,在一家科技公司工作。很高兴认识您。 (Nín hǎo, wǒ xìng Chén, jiào Chén Ān. Wǒ shì Ichang jīnglǐ, zài yī jiā Kenji gōngsī gōngzuò. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín.) “Hello, my surname is Chen and I’m called Chen An. I’m a marketing manager at a technology company. Pleased to meet you.” Role, then company, then a polite closer. Nothing else is needed.

To shorten any script, cut the middle: keep only the greeting, name, and closer. To lengthen it, add one detail at a time (hometown, family, hobby) and stop when it starts to feel like a speech.

Pro Tip: Memorize the casual script first, then change one word at a time (name, hobby, closer) until each sentence feels like your own.

Business settings carry extra etiquette on top of the words. Our guide to Chinese business culture and etiquette covers the habits that go with a good introduction. Dutch-speaking readers can also look at a business etiquette resource from a language training provider for more on how professionals meet in China.

Which pronunciation and grammar points matter most?

A few small fixes make an introduction sound far more natural. Most come down to tones, one verb choice, and name order.

Tones change meaning. Mandarin tones can distinguish words that otherwise share the same syllables. A classic pair: 妈 (mā, first tone) means “mom,” while 马 (mǎ, third tone) means “horse.” Say 我有一个妈妈 and a listener understands you; mix the tones up and you may get a smile instead. If tones are your weak spot, our Chinese pronunciation guide and our Mandarin pronunciation guide for adult learners walk through them step by step.

叫 for names, 是 for classification.

叫 (jiào) gives a name: 我叫王朋.
是 (shì) classifies: nationality, profession, identity. 我是老师. 我是中国人.
Do not use 是 before an adjective. Say 我很忙 (wǒ hěn many), “I’m busy,” not 我是忙. Open course material from Michigan State University stresses that 是 is for equation or classification uses, while adjectives take 很 without 是.

Beginners may confuse 叫 with 是. Mastering the distinction is fundamental to a natural-sounding introduction.

Name order.

Family name comes first, then given name: Wáng Péng, not Péng Wáng.
For a Western name, you can say your given name first and your surname second, then explain, or use a transliteration. Beginner guides on Chinese self-introduction cover how to present these names.
In formal settings, use the surname with a title, such as 陈经理 (Chén jīnglǐ), “Manager Chen.”

Practice ideas.

Shadowing: play a native recording and repeat each sentence right after it, matching rhythm and tones.
Record yourself saying the BLUF line, then compare it with a native example.
Minimal-pair drills: say mā, MA, mǎ, MA in a row, then use each in a word.

What cultural habits should I know before introducing myself?

The right words plus the right manners make a good impression in any setting.

您 versus 你. Use 您 (nín) with elders, clients, teachers, and anyone of higher status. Course material from the Open University notes that using 您 instead of 你 when addressing people of higher status signals respect. With friends and people your age, 你 is fine.
Titles. 先生 (xiānsheng) for Mr., 小姐 (xiǎojiě) for Ms. (younger women), 女士 (nǚshì) for a more formal “Madam.” Often a surname plus job title is safer: 王经理, 李老师.
Nonverbal cues. Stand when meeting someone senior, offer a light handshake, nod slightly, and skip hugs on a first meeting. Hold eye contact briefly and warmly rather than intensely.
Polite closers. 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ), “Nice to meet you,” works nearly everywhere; swap 你 for 您 with seniors. 请多指教 (qǐng duō zhǐjiào), “Please give me your guidance,” sounds humble and slightly formal, ideal for a new class, a new team, or a first business meeting.

Pro Tip: When you are unsure whether to say 你 or 您, choose 您 and wait to be invited to switch.

How can I practice with fill-in-the-blank templates and drills?

Templates give you structure without forcing you to invent sentences under pressure. Fill in the blanks out loud, not just on paper.

Short: 你好,我叫____。很高兴认识你。
Medium: 你好,我叫____。我是____人,我是____。我喜欢____。你呢?
Long: 大家好,我叫____。我来自____, 现在住在____。我在____工作,我是____。我喜欢____。很高兴认识大家,请多指教。
Drill one, the timed intro: set a timer, say your medium template from start to finish, and aim to finish smoothly before the timer ends. Record it and listen for tone slips.
Drill two, swap and ask: pair up with a study partner or teacher. One person introduces themselves, the other asks 你呢? or one follow-up question, then you switch roles.

Aim for a short practice session each day. To measure progress, keep your recordings and compare them over time. You should hear fewer pauses, steadier tones, and faster follow-up replies.

Written introductions are shorter and more casual than spoken ones, and you will often type pinyin or characters in a chat box. The goal is to be clear, friendly, and easy to reply to.

For a first message in a group chat or on a language exchange app, try:

大家好!我叫大卫,来自美国,正在学中文。很高兴认识大家! (Dàjiā hǎo! Wǒ jiào Dàwèi, láizì Měiguó, Shanghai xué Zhōngwén. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi dàjiā!) “Hello everyone! I’m David, from the US, currently learning Chinese. Nice to meet you all!”

A few habits help in writing:

Keep it brief. Long paragraphs in a chat feel heavy.
Mention one interest to give people something to reply to: 我喜欢咖啡和跑步 (wǒ xǐhuan safe hé pǎobù), “I like coffee and running.”
Say you are a learner. People are usually glad to help: 请多多帮助 (qǐng Doduo Hangzhou), “Please help me a lot.”
For a profile bio, a compact line works: 学习中文的产品经理 (Lexi Zhōngwén de chain jīnglǐ), “product manager learning Chinese.”
Emoji and exclamation marks are normal in casual chats, but drop them for a professional networking site, where your first line should read like the business script above.

How does a self-introduction change between formal and informal video calls?

On video, the same words land differently depending on the room. The main differences come down to register, length, and delivery.

Formal calls (client meetings, interviews, webinars):

Open with 您好 or 大家好, then give your full name and role: 我是陈安, 市场经理。
Name your company and, if relevant, your team.
Close with 请多指教 or 很高兴认识大家.
Keep it brief and speak slightly slower than usual.
Look at the camera, not at your own tile, and mute when someone else begins.

Informal calls (study groups, friends, language exchanges):

你好 or 嗨 (HAI) is fine, and a first name alone often works once the group is relaxed.
Add a hobby or a fun detail, then ask 你呢?
You can laugh at your own mistakes. It makes the group feel at ease.

On both: test your audio before you start, because tone differences get lost on a poor microphone. Keep your script visible just off-screen on a sticky note, not on a second window you are reading aloud from. If you are asked to speak first, a short script you have drilled is much less stressful than improvising.

What are the best tips for memorizing and practicing my Mandarin introduction?

Memorizing an introduction is easier than most beginners expect, because it can be kept to a few short sentences. The trick is to practice in small pieces.

Chunk it. Learn greeting and name first, then add origin, job, and closer. Master each chunk before adding the next.
Say it before you read it. Look at the English, say the Mandarin from memory, then check your answer. Active recall beats rereading.
Use sound first, characters second. Learn the pinyin and tones, then connect the characters. Many learners do the reverse and end up with silent knowledge.
Link it to routine. Say your introduction to the bathroom mirror, in the shower, or on your commute. Short, frequent repetition beats a weekly cram session.
Record and compare. A short voice memo recorded regularly can help you notice progress and tones to work on.
Practice with a real person. A teacher or study partner gives you something no app can: live reactions and corrections.
Vary one detail each day. Change the hobby or the job, so the sentence frame stays automatic while the vocabulary grows.

What is my teaching take on getting better faster?

My recommended order is simple: memorize the opening line from the start of this guide, then practice the tones, then adapt it to your own life. Most beginners do the reverse and try to say too much too soon. The most common mistakes are using 是 where 叫 belongs, dropping the family name, and skipping tones for speed. The fix for each is the same: slow down, record yourself, and repeat the sentence until it is smooth. Classes built around real conversation, like the communication-focused lessons we teach at Linda Mandarin, speed all of this up, because you get corrected on the spot.

— Paul

How can our courses help you speak with confidence?

You can read every script in this guide and still freeze when a real person says 你好 back. Speaking practice with a teacher closes that gap, and we built our classes for exactly that.

Conversational classes. We run private and group conversational Mandarin classes in person at 10 Anson Road, Level 22, International Plaza, Singapore 079903, right above Tanjong Pagar MRT.
Online Zoom learning. Our online Chinese courses cover conversational and business Mandarin, with guided speaking practice from home.
Business and corporate options. Teams can look at our corporate Chinese Mandarin training.
Trial class. Not sure where to start? Book a trial class, try your introduction out loud with a native-speaking instructor, and get feedback on your tones the same day.

Pick a class, bring your introduction, and we will help you make it sound natural.

FAQ

How do I politely introduce myself in Mandarin?

Start with 您好 (nín hǎo), give your full name with 我叫…, and finish with 很高兴认识您 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín). Using 您 instead of 你 signals respect, and it is expected with elders and people of higher status.

Can Mandarin be self-taught?

Yes, you can learn a lot on your own, especially vocabulary and reading. Speaking and tones are harder to judge by yourself, so a teacher or conversation partner who can correct you makes progress faster and more reliable.

What is the 3-3-3 rule in Mandarin?

There is no single official “3-3-3 rule” in Mandarin. Learners sometimes use the phrase for a study routine, so definitions vary. What does matter for introductions is the third-tone rule: when two third tones meet, the first one is usually pronounced as a second tone, so 你好 sounds like ní hǎo.

How do I say “I love you” in Mandarin?

The usual phrase is 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). It is a strong expression and is saved for close relationships, so it does not belong in a first introduction.