Want to say “show me” in Spanish? You’ll need to know the difference between the verbs enseñar to request instruction and mostrar to ask to see an object and how to use them in both formal and informal settings.
Perhaps you’re in Spain and want your host to show you how to make paella. Or you’re in Cartagena and want to ask a local to show you the way out of the walled city center. Wherever your Spanish takes you, with this guide you’ll be ready to say “Show me more!”
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How to use enseñar to say ‘show me’
Enseñar, a frequently used -AR verb in Spanish, is used both in the Spanish imperative mood and as an infinitive to express “show me.” While it more commonly translates as “to teach,” it’s used in a similar context to ask someone for a demonstration or instructions on how to complete a task. Less commonly, it can be used as a request to see a physical object.
Enséñame
Imagine you’re studying abroad in Cuenca, Ecuador, and your host sister is carefully preparing the delicate dough for traditional empanadas de viento. As she meticulously folds over the dough and crimps the edges, you want to learn how to do it yourself.
In this scenario, you could use enséñame to ask her for hands-on instruction. Here, the Spanish indirect object pronoun is attached to the singular, informal imperative verb form enseña.
- ¡Enséñame a preparar empanadas! = Show me how to make empanadas!
- Enséñame a estirar la masa así. = Show me how to roll the dough like that.
Enséñeme
Just as “tell me” in Spanish has a formal and informal form, “show me” in Spanish also has both formal and informal conjugations, depending on who you are addressing.
You’ve just arrived in Cuenca and are trying to navigate the public transport system to reach your host family’s house. You’re at a busy bus stop and you’re unsure how to purchase a ticket from the automated machine or where to validate your transport card. You could use the formal conjugation of enseñar to say:
- Disculpe, señora, enséñeme cómo comprar un boleto, por favor. = Excuse me, ma’am, show me how to buy a ticket, please.
- Enséñeme dónde validar mi tarjeta de transporte, por favor. = Show me where to validate my transport card, please.
Enséñenme
To ask a group of people to show you how to do something, you’ll use the plural form of enseñar in the imperative mood. For example, if your Ecuadorian host parents are dancing bachata and you want to learn how, you could say:
- ¡Enséñenme a bailar bachata! = Show me how to dance bachata!
- Enséñenme los pasos básicos! = Show me the basic steps.
Enseñarme
Enseñar can also be used as an infinitive or conjugated in one of the 18 Spanish verb tenses. To learn the conjugations of this useful verb in every tense, reference a comprehensive Spanish conjugation dictionary.
Enseñarme typically indicates a request for hands-on instruction or demonstration, implying “show me how to do it” or “show me this object and talk about it.” It suggests that you want to learn something about what’s being shown, rather than just passively seeing it. Using enseñarme in a question format, as shown in the examples below, is more polite than giving a direct command, such as ¡Enséñame!
Here’s how you could use enseñarme to ask someone to show you an object, for example, a specific piece of jewelry or textile at a market in Cuenca. While mostrar is the more frequently used verb for showing an object, enseñar is also understood.
- ¿Me puede enseñar ese collar de plata? = Can you show me that silver necklace?
- ¿Me enseñas aquella manta de alpaca? = Can you show me that alpaca blanket?
Saying ‘show me’ in Spanish using mostrar
Use the verb mostrar when you want to ask someone to show you an object. As an irregular verb in Spanish, it’s important to pay special attention to the conjugated form of mostrar. Once you get the o → ue stem change down pat, you’ll be able to confidently ask someone to let you see something.
Muéstrame
The informal singular command muéstrame is used as an immediate request to see an object. It’s often used with Spanish direct object pronouns, in phrases like “show it to me” in Spanish.
Here’s how it’s used in context:
- ¡Muéstrame tu dibujo! = Show me your drawing!
- Tu proyecto está listo, ¿no? ¡Muéstramelo! = Your project is done, right? Show it to me!
Muéstreme
You’ll use muéstreme to make a polite, firm request to an individual to show you an object or something specific. For example, asking a traveler to see certain documents.
- Muéstreme su pasaporte, por favor. = Show me your passport, please.
- Muéstreme su boleto. = Show me your ticket.
Muéstrenme
If you want a group of people to show you something, like a group of students’ work, use muéstrenme.
- Muéstrenme los resultados de su experimento. = Show me the results of your experiment.
- Muéstrenme sus ensayos. = Show me your essays.
Mostrarme
Mostrarme can be used as an infinitive or conjugated in the present tense to ask someone to show you something in a less direct way, making your request sound more polite and less demanding.
For example, you are having a conversation with a friend about her recent trip to Mexico and would like to see her photos. You could say:
- ¿Me puedes mostrar las fotos de tu viaje? = Can you show me the photos from your trip?
- ¿Me muestras una foto de Chichén Itzá? = Can you show me a photo of Chichen Itza?
By asking “show me” in Spanish, whether using enseñar to request instruction or mostrar to ask to see an object, you’re sparking a conversation. A knowledgeable Rosetta Stone tutor can help you get conversation-ready by practicing real-world scenarios and providing personalized feedback to improve your communication skills.
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