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QUICK ANSWER
"Cómo se llama" is a form of "cómo se llama", a phrase which is often translated as "what his name is". "Quién es" is a form of "quién es", a phrase which is often translated as "who is". Learn more about the difference between "cómo se llama" and "quién es" below.
cómo se llama(
koh
-
moh
seh
yah
-
mah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. what his name is
No sé cómo se llama, solo lo conozco de vista.I don't know what his name is. I only know him by sight.
b. what her name is
No me acuerdo de cómo se llama. ¿Rosa quizá?I can't recall what her name is. Rosa maybe?
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me pregunto cómo se llama el primo de María. Es muy guapo.I wonder what Maria's cousin's name is. He's very handsome.
Si sabes cómo se llama esa señora, podemos buscar su número de teléfono en la guía.If you know that lady's name, we can look her phone number up in the directory.
a. what it's called
Si vamos a la tienda de electrodomésticos a comprar ese aparato, necesitamos saber cómo se llama.If we're going to the appliance store to buy that device, we need to know what it's called.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Le preguntaré al informático cómo se llama ese programa.I'll ask the computer specialist what that program is called.
Cuando sepa cómo se llama ese tipo de lana, te lo digo.When I find out what that kind of wool is called, I'll let you know.
3. (formal) (in statements; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. what your name is
Lo siento, sé que nos presentaron, pero no recuerdo cómo se llama. - Me llamo Ana.I'm sorry. I know we were introduced, but I can't remember what your name is. - My name is Ana.
a. what's his name
Seguro que conoces a su novio, fue a la escuela contigo. - ¿Y cómo se llama?I'm sure you know her boyfriend. He went to school with you. - And what's his name?
b. what's her name
No se llama Matilde - ¿Cómo se llama entonces?Her name isn't Matilde. - What's her name then?
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Cómo se llama la profesora de español? - Lola.What's the Spanish teacher's name? - Lola.
¿Cómo se llama tu padre? ¿Se llama igual que tú?What's your father's name? Is it the same as yours?
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Luisa, ¿cómo se llama ese concurso que tú ves en la tele?Luisa, what's that quiz you watch on TV called?
¿Cómo se llama esa planta de ahí? - Ficus.What's that plant over there called? - Rubber plant.
6. (formal) (in questions; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. what's your name
¿Cómo se llama si no es Victoria? - Me llamo Virginia.What's your name if it's not Victoria? - My name is Virginia.
quién es(
kyehn
ehs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. who is
Pronto sabremos quién es el ganador del concurso.We will soon know who the winner of the contest is.
c. who he is (masculine)
Juan sufrió un golpe a la cabeza y ya no sabe quién es.John suffered a blow to the head and no longer knows who he is.
d. who she is (feminine)
¿Ves a la señorita del vestido rojo? Quiero saber quién es.Do you see the young woman in the red dress? I want to know who she is.
d. who is he (masculine)
¡No es mi novio! - Entonces, ¿quién es?He isn't my boyfriend. - So, who is he then?
e. who is she (feminine)
¿Ves a esa muchacha que nos está mirando? - Sí, ¿quién es?Do you see that girl watching us? - Yes, who is she?
3. (formal) (second person singular; in questions)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
