soy
/soi/from spelling rules
In Spanish, soy is used to say "i am".
The word soy is a form of the verb ser, which means "to be". It is used when you are describing permanent characteristics, your identity or your origin.
Which one should you use?
Spanish has two different ways to say "i am". Use soy for permanent or essential qualities. Use estoy instead when you are expressing temporary feelings, physical states or your current location.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Mexican dialect, you may hear the phrase Soy chavo(a). to mean "I am a kid/youngster.".
How does it change in a sentence?
The subject pronoun yo (I) is often omitted in a sentence because the form soy already indicates that the subject is the first-person singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/soi/
Did you know?
- The word soy is also a homonym for the Spanish word for 'soy', as in the soybean.
- If you say soy aburrido, you are saying 'I am a boring person', but if you say estoy aburrido, you are saying 'I am bored'.
- The word soy is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'am', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root for the verb 'to be'.
Examples in context
- Es lo que soy.It's what I am.This sentence shows how to use soy to express what one is.Tatoeba #1875822 by Shishir, translation #1787890 by sadhen
- Yo soy más alto.I am taller.This sentence uses soy to describe a physical characteristic.Tatoeba #886051 by Shishir, translation #251869 by CK
- No sé quién soy.I don't know who I am.This sentence uses soy to talk about one's identity.Tatoeba #1875881 by Shishir, translation #5117753 by CarpeLanam
- Yo soy estudiante.I am a student.
- Soy médico.I am a doctor.
- ¿Eres tú el profesor? No, yo soy el profesor.Are you the teacher? No, I am the teacher.
- Estoy cansado/a.I am tired.
- Estoy feliz.I am happy.
- ¿Estás tú de acuerdo con la decisión? No, yo no estoy de acuerdo.Do you agree with the decision? No, I do not agree.
- Soy profesor.I am a teacher.
- Soy estudiante de medicina.I am a medical student.
- ¿Eres tú el nuevo vecino? No, soy el hermano del vecino.Are you the new neighbor? No, I am the neighbor's brother.
- Estoy emocionado/a.I am excited.
- Estoy en casa de mi amigo/a.I am at my friend's house.
- ¿Estás listo/a para salir? Sí, estoy listo/a.Are you ready to go out? Yes, I am ready.
- 763 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are meeting for the first time at a party.
- MaríaHola, soy María.Hi, I am María.
- AlejandroMucho gusto, soy Alejandro.Nice to meet you, I am Alejandro.
- María¿Eres de aquí, Alejandro?Are you from here, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, soy de México.No, I am from Mexico.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries soy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
