Talking About Yourself and Others

Mastering self-expression in Spanish is key to building meaningful connections with Spanish speakers. It’s about more than just translating – it’s about conveying your personality, sharing your experiences, and fostering genuine rapport.

Essential Phrases for Self-Introduction

• “Me llamo…” (My name is…) – The cornerstone of any introduction.
• “Soy de…” (I’m from…) – Share your origin (country, city, region).
• “Tengo… años” (I am… years old) – State your age.
• “Vivo en…” (I live in…) – Indicate your current residence.
• “Soy estudiante” / “Trabajo como…” (I am a student / I work as…) – Briefly describe your occupation or studies.

Describing Yourself and Others

• Physical Descriptions:
  • Use “ser” for inherent qualities:
    • “Soy alto/alta” (I am tall)
    • “Él es bajo” (He is short)
    • “Ella es rubia” (She is blonde)
    • “Tiene los ojos verdes” (He/She has green eyes)
• Personality Traits:
  • Use “ser” for enduring personality traits:
    • “Soy optimista” (I am optimistic)
    • “Eres divertido/divertida” (You are fun)
    • “Somos creativos” (We are creative)
    • “Él es muy amable” (He is very kind)
• Temporary States:
  • Use “estar” for temporary conditions or feelings:
    • “Estoy cansado/cansada” (I am tired)
    • “Está enfermo” (He is sick)
    • “Estamos ocupados” (We are busy)
    • “Estoy emocionado/emocionada” (I am excited)

Daily Life and Routines

• Share your daily activities using the present tense:
  • “Me despierto a las…” (I wake up at…)
  • “Trabajo en…” (I work at…)
  • “Estudio español” (I study Spanish)
  • “Me gusta…” (I like…)
  • “Suelo comer…” (I usually eat…)
  • “Por la tarde, generalmente…” (In the afternoon, I generally…)

Relationships and Connections

• Describe your relationships using appropriate vocabulary:
  • “Mi familia” (My family)
  • “Mi madre/padre” (My mother/father)
  • “Mi hermano/hermana” (My brother/sister)
  • “Mi mejor amigo/amiga” (My best friend)
  • “Mi pareja” (My partner)
  • “Mis compañeros de clase” (My classmates)
  • “Mis amigos” (My friends)

Cultural Considerations

• Family: Family plays a significant role in many Spanish-speaking cultures. Mentioning your family in conversation is often a natural and appreciated topic.
• “Tú” vs. “Usted”:
  • Use “tú” with friends, family, and people you know well.
  • Use “usted” with older people, strangers, and in formal situations as a sign of respect.

Beyond Basic Phrases

• Expressing opinions: “Creo que…” (I think that…), “Pienso que…” (I believe that…)
• Sharing interests: “Me interesa…” (I am interested in…), “Me encanta…” (I love…)
• Describing your likes and dislikes: “Me gusta mucho…” (I like… very much), “No me gusta nada…” (I don’t like… at all)

By incorporating these phrases and expanding your vocabulary, you’ll gain confidence in expressing yourself in Spanish and building meaningful connections with others.