What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of te (you, object), puedo (I can) and agregar (to add).
Which one should you use?
While agregar is the more common verb for social media contexts, you may also see the synonym añadir used, as in ¿Te puedo añadir?
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone in a formal context or to someone much older than you, you should use the form ¿Le puedo agregar? instead of ¿Te puedo agregar?
When do people say it?
When someone asks to add you, a common affirmative response is Sí, claro (Yes, sure). If you wish to decline the request politely, you can say No, gracias (No, thank you). You might also offer your own information by saying ¿Quieres que te dé mi número para que me agregues tú también? (Do you want me to give you my number so you can add me too?).
Did you know?
- The verb agregar comes from the Latin word for a 'flock' or 'group'. When you 'add' someone online, you are etymologically inviting them to join your digital 'flock'.
- In mathematics, if you want to say 'to add' numbers, you must use the verb sumar instead of agregar. Using the latter in a math class would sound quite unusual.
- In certain Latin American accents, agregar sounds very similar to agarrar, which means 'to grab' or 'to catch'.
Examples in context
- Me gustas mucho, ¿te puedo agregar?I like you a lot, can I add you?
Example conversation
Maria and Alejandro just met at a party.
- MaríaMe caïste mucho, ¿te puedo agregar?I really like you, can I add you?
- AlejandroSí, claro. ¿Cual es tu usuario?Yes, of course. What is your username?
- MaríaEs Maria_22.It is Maria_22.
- AlejandroListo, ya te busqué.Done, I already looked you up.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agregar, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
