English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
SpanishWhen you ask “What is this called?”, you are asking for the English name of something.
For example:
What is this called?
It’s called a remote control.
What is this called in English?
It’s called a toothbrush.
What do you call this?
We call it a charger.
This question is very useful for English learners because it helps you learn new vocabulary in real situations.
If you do not know the name of an object, food, animal, body part, activity, symbol, or place, you can simply ask:
What is this called in English?
This is one of the easiest and most natural questions to use when building your vocabulary.
Why “What Is This Called?” Is Useful for English Learners
Many ESL students feel nervous when they do not know the correct word in English.
You may know what something is, but you may not know the English name.
This happens often when you are:
shopping
ordering food
describing a problem
talking about your body
asking for help
explaining a hobby
using tools or technology
learning new grammar terms
The question “What is this called?” helps you keep the conversation moving without feeling embarrassed.
It also helps you learn vocabulary faster because you connect the new word to something real.
Example:
You point to an object and ask:
What is this called?
Someone answers:
It’s called a stapler.
Now you know the word because you learned it in context.
Other Ways to Ask “What Is This Called?”
There are several natural ways to ask the same question.
| Question | When to Use It |
|---|---|
| What is this called? | When pointing to or showing something |
| What is this called in English? | When you know the word in another language |
| What do you call this? | Natural spoken English |
| What is the name of this? | Clear and direct |
| How do you say this in English? | When translating from another language |
| What’s the word for this? | Casual and useful |
| Do you know what this is called? | Polite and natural |
Examples:
What do you call this in English?
How do you say this in English?
What’s the word for this thing?
Do you know what this is called?
All of these questions are useful. The most direct one is:
What is this called in English?
What Is This Called: Everyday Objects
Everyday objects are often the first words English learners need.
These are the things you use at home, at work, at school, or while travelling.
| Object | Meaning |
| chair | something you sit on |
| table | furniture used for eating, working, or placing things |
| door | something you open and close to enter a room |
| window | glass opening that lets in light |
| remote control | device used to control a TV or machine |
| charger | device used to charge a phone or laptop |
| toothbrush | tool used to clean your teeth |
| broom | tool used to sweep the floor |
| notebook | book used for writing notes |
| pen | tool used for writing |
Example sentences:
What is this called?
It’s called a charger.
What do you call this?
It’s a remote control.
What is this called in English?
It’s called a broom.
Learning everyday objects helps you speak more confidently in normal situations.
What Is This Called: Food and Drinks
Food vocabulary is useful when you are ordering at a restaurant, shopping, cooking, or talking with friends.
Here are some common food and drink words.
| Item | English Word |
| knife | used for cutting food |
| fork | used for eating food |
| spoon | used for soup, cereal, or soft foods |
| plate | used for serving food |
| bowl | used for soup, rice, cereal, or salad |
| cup | used for drinking |
| napkin | used to clean your hands or mouth |
| menu | list of food and drinks |
| bill / check | what you pay at the end of a meal |
| straw | used for drinking |
Examples:
What is this called?
It’s called a napkin.
What do you call this in English?
It’s a straw.
How do you say this in English?
We call it a bowl.
You can also use this question when you do not know a dish name.
Example:
What is this called?
It’s called curry.
What Is This Called: Animals
Animal vocabulary is useful for daily conversation, travel, children, nature, pets, and stories.
Start with common animals.
| Animal | Example Sentence |
| dog | The dog is friendly. |
| cat | The cat is sleeping. |
| bird | I saw a bird outside. |
| fish | There are fish in the river. |
| horse | She rides a horse. |
| cow | The cow is in the field. |
| elephant | The elephant has a long trunk. |
| monkey | The monkey climbed the tree. |
| snake | I saw a snake near the road. |
| turtle | The turtle moves slowly. |
Animals also have body parts that are useful to know.
Examples:
An elephant has a trunk.
A bird has wings.
A dog has a tail.
A fish has fins.
A turtle has a shell.
Example question:
What is this called?
Answer:
It’s called a trunk. Elephants use it to breathe, smell, and pick things up.
What Is This Called: Parts of the Body
Body vocabulary is important when you need to describe pain, health problems, movement, or appearance.
Here are useful body parts.
| Body Part | Example |
| head | My head hurts. |
| face | She washed her face. |
| neck | My neck feels stiff. |
| shoulder | He hurt his shoulder. |
| arm | She raised her arm. |
| elbow | I hit my elbow. |
| hand | Wash your hands. |
| finger | I cut my finger. |
| chest | He felt pain in his chest. |
| back | My back hurts. |
| stomach | My stomach feels strange. |
| knee | She injured her knee. |
| ankle | He twisted his ankle. |
| foot | My foot hurts. |
| toes | My toes are cold. |
Examples:
What is this called?
It’s called your elbow.
What is this part of the body called in English?
It’s called your ankle.
Knowing body vocabulary helps you explain problems clearly to doctors, teachers, coworkers, or friends.
What Is This Called: Hobbies and Activities
Hobbies and activities are useful when talking about your free time.
| Activity | Example |
| reading | I enjoy reading books. |
| painting | She likes painting. |
| cooking | Cooking is my hobby. |
| dancing | They love dancing. |
| hiking | We went hiking on Sunday. |
| swimming | He goes swimming every week. |
| playing guitar | I am learning to play guitar. |
| playing football | They play football after work. |
| watching movies | We enjoy watching movies. |
| gardening | My father likes gardening. |
You can ask:
What is this activity called?
Example:
What is this called when people walk in nature for exercise?
Answer:
It’s called hiking.
You can also ask:
What do you call someone who paints?
Answer:
A painter.
What Is This Called: Places and Buildings
Place vocabulary helps you ask for directions and talk about where things happen.
| Place | Meaning |
| supermarket | place to buy food and household items |
| pharmacy | place to buy medicine |
| bank | place for money services |
| hospital | place for medical help |
| clinic | smaller medical center |
| airport | place for flights |
| train station | place for trains |
| bus stop | place where buses stop |
| hotel | place to stay when travelling |
| office | place where people work |
Example:
What is this called in English?
It’s called a pharmacy.
Another example:
What do you call the place where you catch a bus?
It’s called a bus stop.
What Is This Called: Tools and Technology
Technology vocabulary is important in work, study, and daily life.
| Item | Meaning |
| laptop | portable computer |
| keyboard | used for typing |
| mouse | device used to control the screen |
| screen | part where you see images and text |
| charger | used to charge a device |
| cable | wire used to connect devices |
| plug | part that goes into the wall |
| socket / outlet | place where you plug in electricity |
| headphones | used for listening |
| microphone | used for speaking or recording |
Examples:
What is this called?
It’s called a charger.
What do you call this in English?
It’s called a keyboard.
What’s the word for this?
It’s a socket in British English and an outlet in American English.
How to Answer “What Is This Called?”
When someone asks “What is this called?”, you can answer in a few simple ways.
| Answer Pattern | Example |
| It’s called + noun | It’s called a stapler. |
| This is + noun | This is a charger. |
| We call it + noun | We call it a remote control. |
| The word is + noun | The word is “broom.” |
| In English, it’s + noun | In English, it’s a napkin. |
Examples:
What is this called?
It’s called a receipt.
What do you call this?
We call it a wallet.
How do you say this in English?
In English, it’s called a helmet.
Common Mistakes With “What Is This Called?”
Here are common mistakes English learners make.
| Mistake | Better English | Why |
| How is this called? | What is this called? | This is the natural question |
| What this called? | What is this called? | You need “is” |
| What is called this? | What is this called? | Correct word order |
| How do you call this? | What do you call this? | Natural English structure |
| What is the name for this thing? | What is this called? | Shorter and more natural |
| How say this in English? | How do you say this in English? | Needs full question form |
The most natural question is:
What is this called?
Or:
What is this called in English?
Practice: Ask and Answer
Practise these short conversations.
A: What is this called?
B: It’s called a remote control.
A: What do you call this in English?
B: It’s a toothbrush.
A: How do you say this in English?
B: We call it a napkin.
A: What is this part of the body called?
B: It’s called your knee.
A: What is this activity called?
B: It’s called hiking.
A: What’s the word for this object?
B: It’s called a charger.
These small conversations help you learn vocabulary naturally.
Why Learning Vocabulary in Context Works Better
Memorizing long word lists can help, but learning words in real situations is often easier.
When you ask “What is this called?”, you connect the new word to an object, place, action, or experience.
This helps your brain remember the word more easily.
For example, if you see a stapler on a desk and ask its name, you are more likely to remember it than if you only read the word in a list.
Try to learn vocabulary in context by using:
real objects
pictures
conversations
short examples
work situations
daily routines
The more you use a word, the easier it becomes to remember.
FAQ: What Is This Called?
What does “what is this called” mean?
What is this called? means you want to know the name of something in English.
Example:
What is this called?
It’s called a wallet.
Is “how is this called” correct?
No. In natural English, say:
What is this called?
or
What do you call this?
Can I say “what do you call this?”
Yes. What do you call this? is natural spoken English and means the same as what is this called?
How do I ask for a word in English?
You can ask:
What is this called in English?
How do you say this in English?
What’s the word for this?
Why is this question useful for ESL students?
It helps ESL students learn new vocabulary in real situations, ask for help, and continue conversations even when they do not know a word.
Final Thoughts
Asking “What is this called?” is one of the most useful habits for English learners.
It helps you learn vocabulary naturally and confidently.
You can use it for:
everyday objects
food and drinks
animals
body parts
hobbies
places
technology
symbols
activities
When you do not know a word, do not stop speaking.
Ask:
What is this called in English?
Then listen, repeat, and try to use the new word in a sentence.
This simple question can help you build your English vocabulary every day.
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