Why do I keep seeing зову́т for third person singular?

Question

I've seen phrases like *Как его зовут?* in several places, but when I look up зовут, it appears to be the third person plural. Why is it being used for the singular, here?

Answer 1

Меня зовут Ирина = My name is Irina literaly translates like " people call me Irina" . That's why call - зовут 3 person, plural.

You can use singular for special situation:

Меня зовут Ирина, но дедушка зовёт меня Ириша. (...but grandpa calls me Irisha).

Answer 2

Как его зовут?

Verbatim it means What do (they) call him? "They" is plural so it agrees with a plural verb.

Answer 3

You have to look at the person that the verb agrees with. Which in this expression is they, i.e. the full expression is actually translates as They call him John. - interpreted His name is John. It will always be зовут, regardless of naming One or many people, as the expression always reads as They call him/ they call them . Его зовут Джон/ Их зовут Маша и Джон.

Answer 4

A direct translation of "Как его зовут?" is, in fact, "How do they call him?" You cannot directly translate word to word from English to Russian, as the structures of the language are completely different. So, when you say "Меня зовут Катя" it is really "They call me Katya." Or, if I were actually translating this sentence, "My name is Katya."

Hope this helps!