If you walk into a bakery in Bordeaux or a café in Montreal and blurt out a literal translation of "Hi, my name is," the locals will know exactly what you mean. But they’ll also immediately know you’re using a mental dictionary instead of speaking the actual language. It’s one of those weird linguistic hurdles where the "correct" way feels backward to an English speaker.
The short answer? Salut, je m'appelle... But there’s a massive catch. French is obsessed with social hierarchies and "vibes." Using "Salut" in a job interview is a disaster. Using "Je m'appelle" in a crowded bar might make you sound like a textbook. If you want to stop sounding like a tourist and start sounding like a human, you have to look at the mechanics of how French people actually introduce themselves.
The literal vs. the local: How do you say hi my name is in French?
In English, we possess our names. My name is something. It’s a noun-based existence. In French, you don't really "have" a name in the same possessive sense during a casual introduction. Instead, you "call yourself."
Je m'appelle literally translates to "I call myself."
This comes from the reflexive verb s'appeler. If you’re a grammar nerd, you’ll recognize that me (shortened to m') is the reflexive pronoun. It’s a subtle shift in logic. You aren't stating a fact about an object you own; you are describing an action you perform.
Then there’s the "Hi" part. Salut is the go-to for friends, family, and people your own age. It’s versatile. Interestingly, Salut can also mean "Bye," which confuses the hell out of people at first. If you’re in a more formal setting—say, talking to a shopkeeper or someone older than you—you must swap it for Bonjour. Using Salut with a stranger over the age of 50 in France is often seen as a bit "too much," bordering on disrespectful.
Why "Moi c'est" is the secret weapon of the French
Want to sound like you’ve lived in Paris for five years? Stop saying Je m'appelle.
In real-life, rapid-fire French conversation, people use Moi, c'est... (Me, it is...). It’s punchy. It’s direct. It’s what you say when you’re clinking glasses or meeting a friend of a friend.
Imagine you’re at a party. Someone says, "Salut, je suis Marc." You don't respond with the formal "Enchanté, je m'appelle Sarah." You’d sound like a robot. Instead, you say, "Salut Marc, moi c'est Sarah." It flows better. It feels less like a classroom exercise and more like a real interaction.
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The "Je suis" trap
A lot of beginners try to say Je suis [Name]. While grammatically fine—it literally means "I am"—it’s surprisingly rare in France compared to English. You’ll hear it more often on the phone or when identifying yourself behind a closed door ("C'est moi, je suis là!"). If you’re standing face-to-face with someone, stick to Je m'appelle or Moi c'est.
The Formal Divide: When "Hi" isn't enough
French society is built on a foundation of vouvoiement. This is the use of the formal "you" (vous) versus the informal "you" (tu). This distinction bleeds into how you introduce yourself.
If you are in a professional environment, "Hi" (Salut) is basically off-limits. You need Bonjour.
Bonjour, je m'appelle [First Name] [Last Name].
In a business context, giving both names is standard. In a casual setting, just the first name is fine. If you’re meeting a dignitary or someone in a very high-ranking position, you might even hear Je me présente... (I present myself...). This is peak formality. You won't use it at a grocery store, but you might use it if you’re giving a speech or being introduced to a boardroom of executives.
Pronunciation Pitfalls
Let's talk about the "j" sound. In English, "Hi" has that breathy H. French doesn't do that. The "H" in Hi doesn't exist in French words like habit or homme, and it's certainly not in the introductions.
The Je in Je m'appelle is a soft, voiced sound. Think of the "s" in "pleasure" or "measure." It’s not "Jay." It’s a buzzy, soft "Zhuh."
And that double "l" in appelle? It’s basically a standard "l" sound. Don't overthink it. The stress usually falls on the very last syllable of the sentence.
Zhuh mah-PELL [Name].
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Regional Flavors: Quebec vs. France
If you’re wondering how do you say hi my name is in French while wandering through Montreal, the rules shift slightly. Quebecois French is famously more relaxed with the tu (informal) form.
In Quebec, you might hear Allô! instead of Salut or Bonjour. While Allô is strictly for answering the phone in France, in Canada, it’s a perfectly normal way to say "Hi" in person.
- France: "Bonjour, je m'appelle Pierre." (Polite, standard)
- Quebec: "Allô, moi c'est Pierre." (Friendly, local)
It’s these tiny geographical nuances that distinguish a student from a speaker. If you use Allô in Paris to greet someone, they’ll think you’re looking for a phone booth. Context is everything.
What to say after the introduction
Once you’ve successfully navigated the "Hi, my name is" part, you can't just stand there in silence. You need the follow-up.
The classic response is Enchanté (for men) or Enchantée (for women). It means "Enchanted," though we’d translate it as "Nice to meet you." Both are pronounced exactly the same (on-shon-tay).
If you want to be a bit more modern, you can say Ravi de vous rencontrer (Delighted to meet you). This is slightly more elegant and works well in professional settings.
Honestly, though? Most young people in France just nod and say "Salut" again or "De même" (Likewise) if the other person spoke first.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mon nom est... - While technically "My name is," it sounds very "translated." It’s mostly used on official forms or in very specific legal contexts. Avoid it in conversation.
- Je m'appelle de... - Don't add "de" before your name.
- Salut to your boss - Unless you work at a very hip tech startup in the Marais, stick to Bonjour.
- Over-pronouncing the 's' - In Je m'appelle, the "s" in "appelle" is silent. In Moi c'est, the "t" in "c'est" is silent unless the next word starts with a vowel.
The Cultural Weight of a Greeting
In the US or UK, we often skip the "Hi" and go straight to the question. "Where's the bathroom?" or "How much is this?" In French culture, the greeting is a mandatory social contract. You cannot ask a question without first establishing the "Hi, my name is" or at the very least, a solid "Bonjour."
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If you skip the greeting, you are being rude. It doesn't matter how good your accent is. Starting with "Bonjour, je m'appelle [Name], j'ai une question..." will get you much further than a direct approach.
Moving Beyond the Basics
To truly master this, you need to practice the "liaison." This is the French habit of running words together. When you say Je m'appelle, it should sound like one single word, not three distinct beats.
Practice saying it fast. Blur the edges.
If your name starts with a vowel, like Alice, the "le" at the end of appelle will slide right into the "A."
Je m'appell-Alice.
It’s that fluid connection that makes the language sound musical rather than staccato.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to put this into practice, don't just memorize the phrase. Do this instead:
- Record yourself saying "Salut, moi c'est [Name]" and compare it to a native speaker on a site like Forvo.
- Pick your "Vibe." Decide if you want to be the "Moi c'est" person (casual, cool) or the "Je m'appelle" person (standard, safe).
- Practice the 'Zh' sound. Spend two minutes making the sound of a buzzing bee but with your tongue near the roof of your mouth. That’s your "Je."
- Context Check. Next time you watch a French film on Netflix, pay attention to the first 30 seconds of any character meeting. They rarely use the textbook version. Mimic the one that fits your personality.
Introduction is the gateway. Once you nail the "Hi, my name is," the rest of the conversation feels a lot less intimidating. Just remember: Bonjour for the baker, Salut for the bar, and never, ever translate word-for-word.