ven.1ce

[barren oyster]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[plain vine]

there are several ways to ask questions in French

"comment vous appelez-vous ?"
uses inversion => formal
uses vous => respectful

"tu t'appelles comment ?"
doesn't use inversion => informal
uses tu => familiar

you could also mix and match those concepts. For instance:
"comment t'appelles-tu ?" uses inversion and tu

alternatively, using "est-ce que" also puts emphasis on the fact you're asking a question. Formality-wise, it sits inbetween inversion and intonation (not inversion) questions.
"comment est-ce que vous vous appelez ?" for instance with vous
___

when asking someone their name, it's much more common to use "s'appeler" rather than directly asking for their name like in English.

"quel est votre nom ?"
this sentence works fine, but feels like you're asking for someone's name to fill in a form, asking for specific information rather than just how to call the person

similarly to above, this uses inversion + vous, and there are other variations
"c'est quoi ton nom ?" uses intonation + tu for instance

[proven oasis]

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation!