a mí
/a mi/from spelling rules
The English phrase "at me" is translated into Spanish as a mí.
The phrase a mí is used to mean "at me" or "to me".
Which one should you use?
While me is the standard way to say "me" as an object, a mí is added after me to provide emphatic contrast, such as in 'Are you looking at me (and not someone else)?'
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase a mí is used for emphasis or clarification when the indirect object pronoun me is already present in the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/a mi/
Did you know?
- The phrase a mí is used in the common idiom a mí me importa un pimiento, which literally means 'it matters a pepper to me' but actually means 'I don't care at all'.
- The phrase a mí is a key part of the common expression a mí no me digas, which translates to 'don't tell me' but is used to express disbelief or to say 'don't try to fool me'.
- While a mí provides emphasis, using it alone can sometimes sound like you are challenging someone, as if saying 'What about me?' in a defensive way.
Examples in context
- Judy me vio a mí.Judy looked at me.Tatoeba #1363655 by marcelostockle, translation #349878 by human600
- ¿Me estás mirando a mí?Are you looking at me?Tatoeba #2214160 by Shishir, translation #2214121 by Hybrid
- ¿Me estás apuntando a mí?Are you pointing at me?Tatoeba #1517631 by marcelostockle, translation #1517202 by CK
- Señorita López, ¿puede dirigir sus preguntas hacia mí?Miss Lopez, can you direct your questions at me?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing who should be the team leader.
- LucíaNo me digas a mí que no puedo hacerlo.Don't tell me that I can't do it.
- MateoSolo pienso que sería mejor otra persona.I just think another person would be better.
- Lucía¿Por qué siempre te enfocas en mí?Why do you always focus on me?
- MateoNo te preocupes, Lucía, confío en ti.Don't worry, Lucía, I trust you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
