Which one should you use?
The choice between forms depends on your relationship with the parent. Using ¿puedo casarme con su hija? is the standard way to make the request, while ¿puedo casarme con tu hija? uses the informal tu and would only be used if you already have a close, casual relationship with the parent. For an even more elevated or ceremonial tone, you can use ¿Me concede el honor de casarme con su hija?, which means "Do you grant me the honor of marrying your daughter?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase ¿puedo casarme con su hija? is formal. Using su (your) instead of tu (your) makes this a formal request appropriate for addressing a parent or elder. The version ¿puedo casarme con tu hija? is informal.
Did you know?
- In many traditional Spanish-speaking cultures, asking this question directly is often replaced by the custom of 'pedir la mano', which literally means to 'ask for the hand' of the woman.
- While the phrase uses casarme con, a literal word-for-word translation would be 'to marry myself with', because the reflexive pronoun 'me' is attached to the verb.
- The word hija comes from the Latin fīlia, but in Old Spanish it was written and pronounced as fija.
Examples in context
- Señor, ¿puedo casarme con su hija?Sir, can I marry your daughter?
- Es un honor, ¿puedo casarme con su hija?It is an honor, can I marry your daughter?
Example conversation
Lucía is talking to Javier, her partner's father, in a formal setting.
- LucíaSeñor Javier, ¿puedo casarme con su hija?Mr. Javier, can I marry your daughter?
- JavierMe sorprende, pero sí, tienes mi permiso.I am surprised, but yes, you have my permission.
- LucíaMuchas gracias por aceptar.Thank you very much for accepting.
- JavierMe hace feliz que quieran estar juntos.It makes me happy that you want to be together.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, hija, su, CC BY-SA 4.0.
