nací
/naθi/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "I was born" is nací.
nací is used to state the time or place of one's birth.
How do you pronounce it?
/naθi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the passive voice fui nacido instead of the single-word preterite nací.
Did you know?
- The word nacimiento refers to both a biological birth and the source of a river. A 'spring' where water first emerges from the ground is called a nacimiento.
- Because nací is a single word in the first person, it inherently contains the subject 'I'. You do not need to say Yo nací unless you are specifically emphasizing yourself against someone else.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if someone asks about your birth, you might use the verb parir (to give birth) to describe the mother's action, but never for your own birth with nací.
Examples in context
- Yo nací en Osaka.I was born in Osaka.This sentence is useful for stating the city where you were born using nací.Tatoeba #1952232 by marcelostockle, translation #259335 by CN
- Nací en un barco.I was born on a ship.This sentence is useful for stating the setting where you were born using nací.Tatoeba #2693704 by Shishir, translation #2547923 by CK
- Nací hace 20 años.I was born 20 years ago.This sentence is useful for stating how many years ago you were born using nací.Tatoeba #529529 by Shishir, translation #259775 by CK
- Nací el 5 de mayo de 1990 en Madrid.I was born on May 5th, 1990, in Madrid.
- Vi la luz por primera vez en la costa de Valencia.I saw the light for the first time on the coast of Valencia.
- Nací el 14 de febrero en Barcelona.I was born on February 14th in Barcelona.
- Vine al mundo en un pequeño pueblo cerca de Sevilla.I came into the world in a small town near Seville.
- Nací en una pequeña aldea cerca de Valencia, rodeada de hermosos campos y playasI was born in a small village near Valencia, surrounded by beautiful fields and beaches
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their origins at a café.
- Javier¿Dónde naciste, Elena?Where were you born, Elena?
- ElenaNací en Madrid, ¿y tú, Javier?I was born in Madrid, and you, Javier?
- JavierYo nací en Sevilla.I was born in Seville.
- Elena¡Qué bien!That's great!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
