presentar
/pɾesenˈtaɾ/
In Spanish, the word for "introducing" is presentar.
presentar is used when you are making someone known to another person by stating their name.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb presentar is the infinitive form used to mean "to introduce". To say "to introduce oneself", the reflexive pronoun se is attached to the end of the infinitive to form presentarse. When introducing one person to another, use the preposition a before the person being introduced, forming the pattern presentar a.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾesenˈtaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using introducir when introducing people. While it may sound similar to the English "introduce", introducir usually means "to insert" or "to put something inside". Use presentar instead.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a formal introduction is often followed by dos besos (two kisses) on the cheeks, even between women and men who have just met.
- The verb presentar is used to describe the symptoms of a disease 'presenting' themselves in a patient.
- The word presentar comes from the Latin praesentāre, which means 'to place before' or 'to make present'.
Examples in context
- Se puso de pie y comenzó a presentarse.She stood up and began introducing herself.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the reflexive form presentarse.Tatoeba #11463038 by DJ_Saidez, translation #9458534 by DJ_Saidez
- Permítame presentarle a mi esposo, Alejandro.Allow me to introduce you to my husband, Alejandro.
- Le presento a la Señora García, nuestra directora.I present to you Mrs. García, our director.
- Permítame presentarle al señor Martínez, nuestro nuevo cliente.Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Martínez, our new client.
- Le presento al Doctor Ramírez, destacado experto en medicina.I present to you Doctor Ramírez, a renowned expert in medicine.
- Te presento a mi amiga, María.I introduce you to my friend, María.
- Quiero que conozcas a mi hermano, Pedro.I want you to meet my brother, Pedro.
- Te presento a Juan, mi compañero de clases.I introduce you to Juan, my classmate.
- Quiero que conozcas a mi prima, Isabel.I want you to meet my cousin, Isabel.
- Ella quiere presentar a su nuevo jefe.She wants to introduce her new boss.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are at a social gathering.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿puedo presentar a mi amiga?Sofía, can I introduce my friend?
- SofíaClaro, Alejandro, no hay problema.Sure, Alejandro, no problem.
- AlejandroQuiero presentar a Lucía.I want to introduce Lucía.
- SofíaMucho gusto, Lucía.Nice to meet you, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry presentar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries presentar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
