Mexican Spanish for English speakers School · Lesson 5

Exchanging names

Mexican Spanish для exchanging names — Y usted, ¿quién es? (And who are you, formally?) — using usted.

Conversation

  1. Lindo Lindo

    ¿Y tú cómo te llamas?

    And what is your name?

    Tip: <Tú> is the informal way to say "you"

  2. Cassian Cassian

    Me llamo Cassian. ¿Y usted quién es?

    My name is Cassian. And who are you?

    Tip: <Usted> is a formal way to say "you". You use it when talking to adults or authorities

  3. Lindo Lindo

    Yo soy Lindo, tu profesor.

    I am Lindo, your teacher.

    Tip: Lindo is saying <Yo soy Lindo>, or "I am Lindo", whereas previously, Cassian said <Me llamo Cassian>, which is "My name is Cassian"

  4. Cassian Cassian

    Mucho gusto, profesor.

    Nice to meet you teacher

    Tip: You can also say "encantado" o "un placer"

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Tú vs usted in Mexican Spanish?

Tú = informal (friends, family, peers). Usted = formal (strangers, elders, work, customers). Mexicans use usted MORE than Spaniards as a sign of respect.

Mexican Spanish formal address?

Señor (Mr.), Señora (Mrs.), Señorita (Miss). Use with surnames or as standalone polite address.

How does verb conjugation change with usted?

Usted takes third-person singular verbs: usted habla (you speak, formal), tú hablas (you speak, informal).

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