What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Do you call yourself Marco?" because it uses the reflexive verb llamarse (to call oneself).
Which one should you use?
While ¿te llamas Marco? is the standard informal way to ask, you can also use ¿Su nombre es Marco? to ask the same question formally.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use ¿Usted se llama Marco? instead of ¿Su nombre es Marco? when you want to be formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask the same question using the formal version of "you", change the reflexive form te llamas to se llama.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to translate the English structure literally by saying ¿Tu nombre es Marco? While understandable, native Spanish speakers much more commonly use the reflexive verb llamarse to ask for names.
When do people say it?
If someone asks you this question, a natural way to respond affirmatively is Sí, me llamo Marco.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word marco can refer to a unit of currency, as it is a loan translation of the German 'Mark'.
Examples in context
- ¡Buenos días! ¿Su nombre es Marco?Good morning! Is your name Marco?
- Disculpe, ¿su nombre es Marco?Excuse me, is your name Marco?
- ¡Hola! ¿Te llamas Marco?Hi! Is your name Marco?
- Oye, ¿te llamas Marco?Hey, is your name Marco?
Example conversation
Elena is checking if the new student is the person she is looking for.
- ElenaHola, ¿te llamas Marco?Hello, is your name Marco?
- AlejandroNo, me llamo Alejandro.No, my name is Alejandro.
- Elena¡Ah! Lo siento, Alejandro.Ah! I am sorry, Alejandro.
- AlejandroNo pasa nada.No problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Marco, marco, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
