y usted es
/i usted es/from spelling rules
The English phrase "and you are" can be translated into Spanish as y usted es.
This phrase is a formal way to ask someone for their name after introducing yourself. You might use it as part of a longer question such as ¿Y usted, quién es? (And who are you?).
Which one should you use?
While y usted es is used for formal situations, y tú eres is the informal equivalent used with peers or children.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
y usted es is used to maintain a respectful distance or show deference to someone you do not know well.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, an informal way to say 'And you, what is your name?' is ¿Y vos, cómo te llamás?
How does it change in a sentence?
Because usted is grammatically treated as a third-person pronoun, the verb es must be in the third-person singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/i usted es/
Did you know?
- The formal pronoun usted actually evolved from the phrase vuestra merced, which translates to 'your mercy' or 'your grace'.
Examples in context
- Mucho gusto, soy María. ¿Y usted, cómo se llama?Pleased to meet you, I'm Maria. And you, what is your name?
- Permítame presentarme, soy el señor García. ¿Y usted, quién es?Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Mr. Garcia. And who are you?
- Aquí estoy, soy Raul. ¿Y tú, quién eres?Here I am, I'm Raul. And who are you?
- Mucho gusto, y usted es…Nice to meet you, and you are…
- Soy el director, ¿y usted es?I am the director, and you are?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena meet for the first time at a business conference.
- JavierHola, buenos días. Soy Javier.Hello, good morning. I am Javier.
- ElenaMucho gusto, Javier.Nice to meet you, Javier.
- JavierEl gusto es mío, ¿y usted es?The pleasure is mine, and you are?
- ElenaSoy Elena, la arquitecta.I am Elena, the architect.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, usted, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
