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Questions & Answers about Vad heter du?
What does the word heter mean here?
heter is the present tense of the verb heta (to be called, to be named). It corresponds to am/is/are called. Present tense is the same for all persons: jag/du/han/hon/hen/vi/ni/de heter.
Why is the verb before the subject (heter du) in this question?
Swedish main clauses use the V2 rule: the finite verb comes in second position. In a wh-question, the wh-word is first (Vad), the verb second (heter), and the subject third (du). Compare: Var bor du?, När fyller du år?
Note: in a subordinate clause there is no V2, so you say Jag undrar vad du heter (subject before verb).
Why not say Vad är ditt namn?
Vad heter du? is the natural, idiomatic way to ask someone’s name. Vad är ditt namn? is grammatically correct but sounds formal or like a form. In everyday speech, use Vad heter du?
How do I answer the question?
- The default is: Jag heter [namn].
Example: Jag heter Anna. - You can also say: Jag är [namn] (informal, common in introductions).
- More formal: Mitt namn är [namn] (less common in conversation).