Everyday conversation
Ma Ismuk?: Meaning, Pronunciation, and When to Use It
مَا اسْمُكَ؟
ma ismuk?
What is your name?
When to say it
Use this after the salam when meeting one man. Say ma ismuki when speaking to one woman. Arabic changes the final sound according to the person you are addressing, even when the English sentence stays the same.
This is practical Modern Standard Arabic. Local speech changes from place to place, but this wording is respectful and widely understood.
A natural reply
اِسْمِي يُوسُفُ
ismi Yusuf
My name is Yusuf.
Replace Yusuf with your own name. The word ismi means my name.
Hear it in a real exchange
One short dialogue. Read it aloud, both parts.
A real beginner exchange
You meet someone after prayer.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ، مَا اسْمُكَ؟
as-salamu alaykum, ma ismuk?
Peace be upon you. What is your name?
وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ، اِسْمِي يُوسُفُ
wa alaykumu s-salam, ismi Yusuf
And peace be upon you. My name is Yusuf.
Related phrases
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