How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish
Introducing yourself is the first thing you do in any language. In Spanish, you need only a handful of phrases: your name, where you are from, how old you are, and what you do. This lesson gives you a script you can use today.
Quick answer
- Say your name: Me llamo Ana. / Soy Ana.
- Say where you are from: Soy de Estados Unidos.
- Say what you do: Soy estudiante. Trabajo en un banco.
Your name and a greeting
Start with a greeting and your name. Me llamo… literally means “I call myself,” and Soy… means “I am.” Both are natural. To ask someone’s name, say ¿Cómo te llamas? (informal) or ¿Cómo se llama usted? (formal).
Examples
- Hola, me llamo Carlos.Hello, my name is Carlos.Me llamo.
- Mucho gusto, soy Laura.Nice to meet you, I’m Laura.Soy.
- ¿Cómo te llamas?What is your name?Informal.
- Encantado de conocerte.Pleased to meet you.Women say encantada.
Where you are from and where you live
Use ser de for where you are from and vivir en for where you live. Use soy plus a nationality to say your nationality: Soy estadounidense, soy mexicana, soy canadiense.
Examples
- Soy de Chicago, pero vivo en México.I am from Chicago, but I live in Mexico.Ser de, vivir en.
- Soy canadiense.I am Canadian.Nationality.
- Vivo en una ciudad pequeña.I live in a small city.Vivir en.
Age, job, and family
For age, Spanish uses tener: Tengo treinta años. For a job, use ser without an article: Soy maestra, or trabajar en: Trabajo en una escuela. For family, use tengo: Tengo dos hermanos.
Examples
- Tengo veintiocho años.I am twenty-eight years old.Tener for age.
- Soy ingeniero.I am an engineer.No article.
- Trabajo en un hospital.I work in a hospital.Trabajar en.
- Tengo dos hijos.I have two children.Tener.
Hobbies and a short dialogue
Use me gusta plus an infinitive to talk about hobbies: Me gusta leer. Then link everything into a short introduction.
Examples
- Me gusta bailar y cocinar.I like to dance and cook.Me gusta + infinitive.
- Hola, me llamo Ana. Soy de Chicago y vivo en Puebla.Hello, my name is Ana. I am from Chicago and I live in Puebla.Model introduction.
- Tengo treinta años y soy profesora.I am thirty and I am a teacher.Age and job.
- Estoy aprendiendo español.I am learning Spanish.Estar + gerund.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico, mucho gusto is the standard reply when you meet someone. In Spain, encantado and encantada are also very common. Both are understood everywhere.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Yo estoy Ana.
Correct: Soy Ana.
Use ser for your name.
Incorrect: Tengo treinta años viejo.
Correct: Tengo treinta años.
Do not add viejo; Spanish says “I have thirty years.”
Incorrect: Soy un ingeniero.
Correct: Soy ingeniero.
No article with a job after ser.
Incorrect: Yo soy de vivir en Puebla.
Correct: Vivo en Puebla.
Use vivir en for where you live.
Remember the script
- Me llamo… or Soy… for your name.
- Soy de… for where you are from; vivo en… for where you live.
- Tengo… años for age; soy… without an article for your job.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say ‘nice to meet you’?
Mucho gusto, encantado (man), or encantada (woman).
Should I use me llamo or soy?
Both are natural. Me llamo is a little more standard, and soy is shorter.
How do I say what I do?
Soy plus the job, or trabajo en plus the place.
Do I need to say yo?
No. Spanish usually drops the subject pronoun.
Ready to practice your Spanish?
Introductions are the first thing you say in Spanish. Try a short, free practice session.
Keep learning
Spanish Greetings: Common Phrases for Beginners
Say hello, introduce yourself, and say goodbye in Spanish, with the right phrase for the time of day and for the person.
A1Polite Phrases in Spanish
Por favor, gracias, de nada, perdón, con permiso, and lo siento: what each one means and when to use it.
A1Family Members in Spanish
Mamá, papá, hermano, abuela, tío, primo, and in-laws, with gender, plurals, and audio.