sé tú mismo
/se tu mismo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "be you" can be expressed in Spanish as sé tú mismo.
This expression is used to encourage someone to act naturally and stay true to their own personality.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative sé (be), the pronoun tú (you) and the reflexive pronoun mismo (self/same).
Which one should you use?
The default form sé tú mismo is an informal way to say "be you yourself." You might also use the shorter sé tú for "be you" or the phrase sé quien eres for "be who you are" in informal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, "be yourself" may be expressed as sé vos mismo.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to a woman, you must change the masculine mismo to the feminine misma, resulting in sé tú misma.
How do you pronounce it?
/se tu mismo/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Sé tú en todo momento y no te preocupes por lo que los demás piensen de ti.Be you at all times and don't worry about what others think of you.
- No te preocupes por encajar en los estándares de belleza, solo sé tú mismo.Don't worry about fitting into beauty standards, just be yourself.
- Le animo a que sea usted mismo y exprese sus ideas sin temor.I encourage you to be yourself and express your ideas without fear.
- En este lugar de trabajo, es importante que sea quien usted es y demuestre su potencial.In this workplace, it's important that you be who you are and showcase your potential.
- No finjas, solo sé tú mismo.Don't pretend, just be yourself.
- En la entrevista, sé tú mismo.In the interview, be yourself.
- No necesitas impresionar a nadie, sé tú mismo.You don't need to impress anyone, be yourself.
Example conversation
Mateo is nervous about a first date with Sofía.
- MateoEstoy muy nervioso por la cita de esta noche.I am very nervous about the date tonight.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, solo sé tú mismo.Don't worry, just be yourself.
- MateoGracias, Sofía, me ayudas mucho.Thanks, Sofía, you help me a lot.
- SofíaDe nada, ¡tú puedes con esto!You're welcome, you can do this!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mismo, sé, tú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
