Business English Podcast · Small Talk & Networking · Episode 09

Remembering Someone's Name After Meeting Them Once

The name is gone ten seconds after the handshake? Five simple tricks so it never happens again.

B1 · Monologue · 3 Min. · free

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Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published 8 October 2026

Remembering Names in English

SceneA business English trainer explains why names escape us immediately — and shares five simple tricks for remembering a name after meeting someone just once.

0:00 / 3 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test

David — Business English trainer

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Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

German support

DavidHere's a situation you know well. You're at a trade fair, you shake hands with someone new, they say their name — and ten seconds later, it's gone. Don't worry: you don't need a good memory for names. You need a system. Today I'll give you the five simple tricks that I teach in my workshops.

DavidTrick number one: say the name back immediately. When someone says 'Hello, I'm Anna Berger', you answer: 'Nice to meet you, Anna.' That's all. When you hear your own voice say the name, your brain saves it much better.

DavidTrick two: use the name again in the first minute. Ask a question with it: 'So, Anna, how long have you been with the company?' or 'And what do you do there, Anna?' Two or three times is enough — more than that sounds strange.

DavidTrick three: connect the name to a picture. This is what memory professionals do. If you meet a Mr Fox, imagine a fox in a suit with a briefcase. If you meet a Julia Baker, think of fresh bread. The sillier the picture, the better it works.Stellen Sie sich ein Bild zum Namen vor – je verrückter, desto besser.

DavidTrick four: if you forget the name, ask early — and ask politely. Just say: 'I'm sorry, could you tell me your name again?' That is one hundred per cent acceptable. What is not acceptable: pretending for two hours and then avoiding the person.Fragen Sie früh und höflich – nicht zwei Stunden so tun, als wüssten Sie es.

DavidAnd trick five: write it down. After the event, take two minutes: name, company, and one detail — 'Anna Berger, Nexa, loves sailing'. The next time you meet, you'll remember everything, and she will be impressed.

DavidLet me tell you what can go wrong. A participant in one of my workshops met an important contact and said: 'Thank you, I became your business card yesterday.' Become? He meant the German 'bekommen' — but in English, 'become' means 'to change into something'. The correct sentence is: 'I got your business card.'Er meinte ‚bekommen' – aber ‚become' heißt ‚werden'. Richtig: ‚I got your business card.'

DavidOne more tip, from the other side. When someone forgets your name, help them. Smile and say: 'Don't worry, it happens to everyone — I'm David.' It takes away the stress, and people remember your kindness longer than your name.

DavidSo, at your next event: say it back, use it, picture it, ask early, write it down. Names are the start of every business relationship — and now they can be the start of your next small talk success.

Key phrases

shake hands

to greet someone by holding and shaking their hand

In business, we shake hands when we meet for the first time.

a good memory for names

the natural ability to remember names

You don't need a good memory for names — you need a system.

Nice to meet you

standard phrase when meeting someone for the first time

Nice to meet you, Ms Weber — I have heard a lot about your project.

could you tell me your name again

polite question when you have forgotten a name

I'm sorry, could you tell me your name again? It was loud at the reception.

write it down

to note something on paper or in your phone

That name is difficult — let me write it down.

business card

a small card with your name and company details

She gave me her business card after the meeting.

It happens to everyone

friendly phrase to excuse a small mistake

You forgot my name? Don't worry, it happens to everyone.

trade fair

a large event where companies show their products

We met at a trade fair in Frankfurt last spring.

Language notes

In this episode a business English trainer explains five tricks for remembering names after meeting someone just once: say it back, use it, picture it, ask early, write it down. Plus the most important networking false friend: "bekommen" is not "become" (level B1).

The five formulas for remembering names

Each trick has its own language formula: "Nice to meet you, Anna" (say it back), "So, Anna, how long have you been with the company?" (use it), "I'm sorry, could you tell me your name again?" (ask early) and quietly noting details after the event (write it down). The formulas are deliberately short — in a real conversation you have no time for long sentences.

First names and forgotten names: DE ↔ EN

In English-speaking business life you switch to first names almost immediately — even with directors. That makes names easier to remember but raises the pressure: if you forget, there is no "Herr Berger" fallback. Britons and Americans are more relaxed about forgotten names: an honest "Sorry, your name again?" with a smile is completely normal. Germans, by contrast, often hide the fact until it becomes truly embarrassing.

"Bekommen" is not "become"

The costliest false friend in networking: "Ich habe Ihre Visitenkarte bekommen" is not "I became your business card" but "I got your business card". "Become" means turning into something ("She became CEO"), not receiving. Memory aid: "get" = bekommen/receive, "become" = werden. Get it wrong once and your contact will certainly remember you — unfortunately for the wrong reason.

Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.

Frequently asked questions

What language level is this episode for?

Level B1 (CEFR). The monologue uses clear, everyday language; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.

What do I do if I have forgotten a name?

Ask early and kindly: "I'm sorry, could you tell me your name again?" That is completely acceptable — much worse is pretending for hours that you still know it.

Is there a transcript to read along?

Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.

Where can I practise these techniques live?

In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services: live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — since 2004. Book a free consultation at englisch-lehrer.com/online.

What is the difference between "get" and "become"?

"Get" means to receive ("I got your email"); "become" means to turn into something ("He became manager"). The German "bekommen" sounds like "become" but means "get" — a classic false friend.

Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?

The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.

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