yo
/ˈʝo/
The English pronoun "I" is translated as yo in Spanish.
You can add mismo/a to yo to emphasize your individuality or assertiveness. In some contexts, people may use the phrase Un servidor to refer to themselves in a humble and playful manner, meaning "a servant".
Meaning: personal pronoun (pron)
Which one should you use?
The pronoun yo is used for emphasis or to clarify the subject in a sentence.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun yo is often omitted in Spanish because the verb conjugation already indicates the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝo/
Did you know?
- While English speakers rely heavily on 'I' to start sentences, using yo too frequently in Spanish can make you sound unnecessarily egotistical or even confrontational.
- The Spanish word yo shares an ancestral root with the English word 'ego', both descending from the Latin 'egō'.
- In some poetic or liturgical texts, the placement of yo at the end of a sentence is used to create a dramatic or divine emphasis on the speaker.
Examples in context
- Yo sí te amo.I do love you.This sentence shows the use of yo to express affection.Tatoeba #1246286 by marcelostockle, translation #71454 by CK
- Yo no vi nada.I saw nothing.This sentence demonstrates the use of yo in a negative statement.Tatoeba #497573 by Shishir, translation #256395 by CK
- Yo no lo hice.I did not do it.This sentence illustrates the use of yo when describing an action not taken.Tatoeba #625873 by Leono, translation #625872 by Leono
- Yo pienso que…I think that…
- Yo deseo solicitar…I wish to request…
- Yo mismo/a resolveré el problema.I myself will solve the problem.
- Yo quiero ir al cine.I want to go to the movies.
- Me encanta cantar.I love to sing.
- Un servidor te invita a su fiesta.I humbly invite you to my party.
- 1953 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are deciding who will cook dinner.
- LucíaYo puedo cocinar hoy.I can cook today.
- JavierMuchas gracias, Lucía.Thank you very much, Lucía.
- LucíaYo haré una pasta.I will make a pasta.
- Javier¡Qué buena idea!What a great idea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I” translations and entries yo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries yo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
