After getting the hang of how to say “hello” in Spanish and other essential greetings, learning to introduce yourself is a logical next step for expanding on those introductory conversations. If you want to say the phrase “Hello, my name is” in Spanish, you could say, Hola, mi nombre es [your name]. But, a more relaxed and more common version of the same expression would be, Hola, me llamo [your name].
When learning how to say “what is your name,” “my name is,” and other similar phrases in Spanish, you’ll notice that there is typically more than one way to say the same thing. This characteristic emphasizes the importance of building a strong vocabulary, whether studying flashcards or through a more dynamic, natural immersion.
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The 3 most common ways to say ‘my name is’ in Spanish
Learning how to say “my name is” marks one of your first steps in how to speak Spanish and making new Spanish-speaking friends. Learn the different ways to introduce yourself to make a positive first impression.
1. Me llamo
When introducing yourself to others in Spanish, me llamo is your go-to. It comes from the verb llamarse (to call oneself), but there’s no need to overthink its literal translation. Simply say me llamo followed by your name, and you’ll be introducing yourself like any native speaker!
Here are some examples:
- Me llamo Pedro. = My name is Pedro.
To say the common phrase “hello, my name is” in Spanish, you can simply combine the greeting hola with me llamo like this:
- Hola, me llamo Elena, ¿y tú? = Hello, my name is Elena, and you?
Unlike other Spanish words, me llamo does not change based on gender. So if you identify as female, don’t change the “o” to an “a.”
2. Mi nombre es
If you’re still working on your pronunciation of “l” and “ll” in Spanish or prefer a more literal translation of “my name is,” you can introduce yourself with mi nombre es. You can even use this same structure to talk about your apodo (nickname) in Spanish! Here’s how:
- Mi nombre es Humberto. = My name is Humberto.
- Mi apodo es Beto. = My nickname is Beto.
3. Soy
Soy, the yo form of the common Spanish irregular verb ser, can also be used to introduce yourself. While it technically translates as “I am,” it’s an acceptable way to present yourself confidently and informally.
- Yo soy Marco. ¿Quién eres tú? = I’m Marco. Who are you?
- ¡Hola, todos! Soy Marta, la estudiante de intercambio. = Hi, everyone! I’m Marta, the exchange student.
How to ask ‘What is your name?’ in Spanish
Spanish has both an informal “you” (tú) and a formal “you” (usted), which can make asking “What is your name?” tricky for beginners. Understanding the difference between tú and usted in Spanish is key to forming essential questions like these, and knowing their conjugations will help you make connections with Spanish speakers.
¿Cómo te llamas?
¿Cómo te llamas? is the standard informal way to ask someone their name when you are speaking to someone younger than you or someone of similar age and social status. Here’s how to use it in context:
- ¿Cómo te llamas? Yo me llamo Carmen. = What is your name? My name is Carmen.
¿Cómo se llama?
When you’re speaking to someone older, in a professional setting, or if you want to show respect, you’ll need to conjugate the verb in the usted form instead of tú. For example:
- Disculpe, señora. ¿Cómo se llama? = Excuse me, ma’am. What is your name?
¿Cuál es tu nombre?
Like ¿Cómo te llamas?, ¿Cuál es tu nombre? is also used to inquire about someone’s name informally, but it carries a slightly more direct tone.
Here’s how it’s used:
- ¿Perdón, nos conocemos? ¿Cuál es tu nombre? = Excuse me, do we know each other? What is your name?
¿Cuál es su nombre?
You’ll use ¿Cuál es su nombre? when addressing someone formally and directly, though it might sound slightly less conversational than ¿Cómo se llama?
For example:
- ¿Cuál es su nombre? Necesito verificar su reservación. = What is your name? I need to verify your reservation.
How do you say ‘nice to meet you’ in Spanish?
It’s proper etiquette to say “nice to meet you” when you meet someone new, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with some common and polite phrases to bid them farewell.
Encantado
Translating literally to “pleased” or “delighted,” encantado is a common way to express that you are happy to meet someone. You’ll use encantado if you identify as male and encantada if you identify as female.
Here’s how it looks in context:
- Lola, este es mi esposo Juan. = Lola, this is my husband, Juan.
- Encantada, Juan. = Nice to meet you, Juan.
Mucho gusto
If you don’t fully have the hang of gender rules in Spanish yet, mucho gusto is always a safe bet since it never changes. Here’s how you can use it:
- Hola, me llamo Carlos. Mucho gusto. = Hi, my name is Carlos. Nice to meet you.
- Igualmente, encantado. = Likewise, pleased to meet you.
Make connections with confident introductions in Spanish
Beyond exchanging names, mastering other key pleasantries is essential for a full introductory conversation and building positive connections with native speakers. From learning how to ask “How are you?” to making a polite remark like “I hope you are having a great day,” the Rosetta Stone app can help you establish this foundation through interactive lessons and real-world examples.
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