Lesson 2: Introducing Yourself

¡Encantado de conocerte! (Nice to meet you!)

Welcome to Lesson 2! Now that you can greet people (from Lesson 1), it's time to introduce yourself. This is one of the most important skills in any language - the ability to tell people who you are, where you're from, and start a conversation.

Part 1: Three Ways to Say Your Name

In Spanish, there are three common ways to introduce yourself. All three are correct, but they're used in slightly different situations.

Method 1: Me llamo... (Most Common)

Me llamo [your name]
- Pronunciation: meh YAH-moh
- Literal meaning: "I call myself..."
- This is the MOST common way to introduce yourself
- Use it in any situation - formal or informal

Examples:
- Me llamo María. (I'm María / My name is María)
- Me llamo Carlos. (I'm Carlos / My name is Carlos)
- Me llamo Jennifer. (I'm Jennifer / My name is Jennifer)

💡 Teacher's Tip: "Llamarse" is a reflexive verb meaning "to call oneself." The "me" means "myself." So you're literally saying "I call myself [name]."

Method 2: Soy... (Most Direct)

Soy [your name]
- Pronunciation: soy
- Meaning: "I am..."
- Very straightforward and simple
- Common in casual situations
- Also used for occupations: "Soy profesor" (I'm a teacher)

Examples:
- Soy Ana. (I'm Ana)
- Soy Pedro. (I'm Pedro)
- Soy estudiante. (I'm a student)

Method 3: Mi nombre es... (More Formal)

Mi nombre es [your name]
- Pronunciation: mee NOHM-breh ehs
- Literal meaning: "My name is..."
- Slightly more formal than "Me llamo"
- Less commonly used in everyday speech
- Good for professional settings

Examples:
- Mi nombre es Roberto García. (My name is Roberto García)
- Mi nombre es Laura Martínez. (My name is Laura Martínez)

⚠️ Important: All three are grammatically correct! Choose based on comfort level. Most native speakers default to "Me llamo" in everyday situations.

Part 2: Asking Someone's Name

Now let's learn how to ASK someone their name. Remember: Spanish has formal (usted) and informal (tú) versions!

Informal - With Friends/Family/Peers

¿Cómo te llamas?
- Pronunciation: KOH-moh teh YAH-mahs
- Meaning: "What's your name?" (informal)
- Use with: friends, family, children, people your age
- The "te" indicates informal "you"

¿Cuál es tu nombre?
- Pronunciation: kwahl ehs too NOHM-breh
- Meaning: "What is your name?" (informal)
- Less common than "¿Cómo te llamas?"
- More direct/formal sounding even though "tú" is informal

Formal - With Strangers/Elders/Authority

¿Cómo se llama?
- Pronunciation: KOH-moh seh YAH-mah
- Meaning: "What's your name?" (formal)
- Use with: strangers, elders, bosses, professionals
- The "se" indicates formal "usted"

¿Cómo se llama usted?
- Same as above but adds "usted" for extra formality
- Very polite, used in business settings
- "Usted" = formal "you"

💡 Teacher's Tip: The key difference is "te" (informal) vs. "se" (formal). Listen for this to know the formality level!

Part 3: Responding to "Mucho Gusto" (Nice to Meet You)

After introductions, Spanish speakers exchange pleasantries. Here's what to say:

Initial Greeting

Mucho gusto
- Pronunciation: MOO-choh GOOS-toh
- Meaning: "Nice to meet you" (literally: "much pleasure")
- Universal - use with everyone
- Can be used by both people meeting

Responses to "Mucho Gusto"

Igualmente
- Pronunciation: ee-gwahl-MEN-teh
- Meaning: "Likewise" or "Same to you"
- Most common response
- Short and sweet

El gusto es mío
- Pronunciation: ehl GOOS-toh ehs MEE-oh
- Meaning: "The pleasure is mine"
- More formal and polite
- Literally: "The pleasure is mine"
- Shows extra courtesy

Encantado/Encantada
- Pronunciation: en-kahn-TAH-doh / en-kahn-TAH-dah
- Meaning: "Pleased to meet you" / "Delighted"
- IMPORTANT: Gender-specific!
- Men say: "Encantado"
- Women say: "Encantada"
- More enthusiastic than "Mucho gusto"

💡 Teacher's Tip: If you forget your gender-specific form, just use "Mucho gusto" or "Igualmente" - they work for everyone!

Part 4: Sharing Basic Personal Information

After names, people often share these basic facts:

Where You're From

Soy de [place]
- Pronunciation: soy deh
- Meaning: "I'm from..."
- Use for your hometown, city, or country

Examples:
- Soy de México. (I'm from Mexico)
- Soy de España. (I'm from Spain)
- Soy de Estados Unidos. (I'm from the United States)
- Soy de Nueva York. (I'm from New York)
- Soy de Los Ángeles. (I'm from Los Angeles)

Asking where someone is from:
- ¿De dónde eres? (Where are you from? - informal)
- ¿De dónde es? (Where are you from? - formal)

Where You Live

Vivo en [place]
- Pronunciation: VEE-voh en
- Meaning: "I live in..."
- Use for current residence

Examples:
- Vivo en Madrid. (I live in Madrid)
- Vivo en California. (I live in California)
- Vivo en un apartamento. (I live in an apartment)

The Difference:
- Soy de = Origin (where you're FROM)
- Vivo en = Current residence (where you LIVE NOW)

Example:
"Soy de México pero vivo en Nueva York."
(I'm from Mexico but I live in New York.)

Your Age

Tengo [number] años
- Pronunciation: TEN-goh ... AHN-yohs
- Meaning: "I am [number] years old"
- Literally: "I have [number] years"

⚠️ CRITICAL: In Spanish, you "HAVE" years, not "ARE" years!
- ❌ WRONG: "Soy 25 años"
- ✅ RIGHT: "Tengo 25 años"

Examples:
- Tengo 20 años. (I'm 20 years old)
- Tengo 35 años. (I'm 35 years old)
- Tengo 42 años. (I'm 42 years old)

Asking someone's age:
- ¿Cuántos años tienes? (How old are you? - informal)
- ¿Cuántos años tiene? (How old are you? - formal)

💡 Cultural Note: In Spanish-speaking cultures, asking someone's age is generally acceptable and not considered rude like in some English-speaking cultures.

Part 5: Complete Introduction Dialogues

Let's see how these pieces fit together in real conversations!

Dialogue 1: Informal (Meeting a Classmate)

Ana: ¡Hola! Me llamo Ana. ¿Cómo te llamas?
(Hi! My name is Ana. What's your name?)

Carlos: Hola, Ana. Me llamo Carlos. Mucho gusto.
(Hi, Ana. My name is Carlos. Nice to meet you.)

Ana: Mucho gusto, Carlos. ¿De dónde eres?
(Nice to meet you, Carlos. Where are you from?)

Carlos: Soy de México. ¿Y tú?
(I'm from Mexico. And you?)

Ana: Soy de España. Vivo en Madrid.
(I'm from Spain. I live in Madrid.)

Dialogue 2: Formal (Business Introduction)

Sr. López: Buenos días. Mi nombre es Roberto López.
(Good morning. My name is Roberto López.)

Sra. García: Buenos días, señor López. Me llamo María García. Mucho gusto.
(Good morning, Mr. López. My name is María García. Nice to meet you.)

Sr. López: El gusto es mío, señora García. ¿De dónde es usted?
(The pleasure is mine, Mrs. García. Where are you from?)

Sra. García: Soy de Colombia, pero vivo en Estados Unidos.
(I'm from Colombia, but I live in the United States.)

Dialogue 3: Mixed Formality (Meeting Friend's Parent)

Joven: Buenas tardes, señora. Me llamo David. Soy amigo de su hijo.
(Good afternoon, ma'am. My name is David. I'm your son's friend.)

Señora: Encantada, David. Yo me llamo Patricia. ¿De dónde eres?
(Pleased to meet you, David. My name is Patricia. Where are you from?)

Joven: Soy de aquí, de Barcelona. Tengo 19 años.
(I'm from here, from Barcelona. I'm 19 years old.)

Part 6: The Important "¿Y tú?" / "¿Y usted?"

After answering a question about yourself, it's polite to ask back!

¿Y tú? (ee too) = "And you?" (informal)
¿Y usted? (ee oos-TEHD) = "And you?" (formal)

Usage in conversation:
Person A: "Soy de Madrid. ¿Y tú?"
(I'm from Madrid. And you?)

Person B: "Soy de Barcelona."
(I'm from Barcelona.)

💡 Teacher's Tip: Adding "¿Y tú?" / "¿Y usted?" shows you're interested in the other person. It keeps the conversation flowing naturally!

Part 7: Cultural Notes on Spanish Names

Understanding Spanish names helps with introductions!

Spanish Naming Convention

Spanish speakers typically have:
- First name (Nombre)
- Father's last name (Apellido paterno)
- Mother's last name (Apellido materno)

Example: María García López
- María = First name
- García = Father's family name
- López = Mother's family name

How to Address People

• Formal: Use first name + father's last name
• "Señor García" (not "Señor López")

• "Señora Martínez"

• Informal: Use first name only

• "¡Hola, María!"
• "Carlos, ¿cómo estás?"

Women and Marriage

• Traditionally, women kept both their family names after marriage
• Modern practice varies by country
• In formal documents, you might see: "María García López de Pérez"
• "de Pérez" indicates husband's surname

💡 Cultural Insight: Unlike in English-speaking countries, Hispanic women don't traditionally take their husband's surname as their only name.

Part 8: Pronunciation Practice

Let's focus on the tricky sounds in this lesson:

The Double L (LL)

In "Me llamo" and "¿Cómo te llamas?", the "LL" is pronounced like English "Y"

Practice:
- llamo = YAH-moh (NOT L-YAH-moh)
- llamas = YAH-mahs
- me llamo = meh YAH-moh

The Ñ

This special Spanish letter sounds like "ny" in "canyon"

Practice:
- años = AHN-yohs
- español = es-pahn-YOHL
- señor = sehn-YOR

The V

In Spanish, V and B sound the same (like a soft B)

Practice:
- vivo = BEE-boh (not VEE-voh)
- veinte = BAYN-teh

Part 9: Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Using "soy" with age

• Wrong: "Soy 25 años"
• Right: "Tengo 25 años"
• Remember: You HAVE age in Spanish, not ARE age!

❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting gender in "Encantado/a"

• Wrong: Man saying "Encantada"
• Right: Man saying "Encantado", Woman saying "Encantada"

❌ Mistake 3: Confusing "Soy de" and "Vivo en"

• Wrong: "Vivo de España" (doesn't make sense)
• Right: "Soy de España" (origin) or "Vivo en España" (current residence)

❌ Mistake 4: Using informal with strangers

• Wrong: "¿Cómo te llamas?" (to elderly stranger)
• Right: "¿Cómo se llama?" (formal)

❌ Mistake 5: Saying "Me llamo es..."

• Wrong: "Me llamo es Carlos"
• Right: "Me llamo Carlos" OR "Mi nombre es Carlos"
• Why: "Me llamo" already means "I call myself," you don't need "es"

Part 10: Practice Scenarios

Scenario 1: First Day of Class

You need to introduce yourself to your Spanish classmates.
What to say: "¡Hola! Me llamo [your name]. Soy de [your city]. Tengo [age] años. Mucho gusto."

Scenario 2: Job Interview

You're meeting your interviewer for the first time.
What to say: "Buenos días. Mi nombre es [your name]. Mucho gusto."

Scenario 3: Meeting Friend's Friend

Your friend introduces you to someone at a party.
What to say: "¡Hola! Me llamo [your name]. Encantado/a. ¿Cómo te llamas?"

Scenario 4: Asking Someone's Name (You forgot!)

You met someone but forgot their name.
What to say: "Perdón, ¿cómo te llamas?" (Sorry, what's your name?)

Part 11: Memory Tricks

Trick 1: "Me llamo" = "Me call-o"

Think: "Me" (myself) + "llamo" (sounds like "call-o") = "I call myself"

Trick 2: "Tengo" for age

"Tengo" = "I have" → Spanish speakers "have" years, not "are" years
Think of collecting years like collecting items!

Trick 3: "De" = Direction FROM

"Soy DE México" - the "de" shows direction FROM somewhere (your origin)

Trick 4: Formal = "se", Informal = "te"

Senior citizens = se (formal)
Teenagers = te (informal)

Vocabulary Summary

Essential Introduction Phrases

Personal Information

📚 Ready for Practice!

You now have everything you need to introduce yourself in Spanish and have basic getting-to-know-you conversations!

Key Takeaways:
1. Three ways to say your name: Me llamo, Soy, Mi nombre es
2. Ask names differently based on formality: te llamas (informal) vs. se llama (formal)
3. Respond to greetings: Mucho gusto → Igualmente
4. Share where you're from: Soy de [place]
5. Tell your age: Tengo [number] años (not "Soy")

Practice Today:
Introduce yourself out loud 5 times in Spanish using different methods!

Now scroll down to complete your 50 practice exercises! 👇