What does it mean word for word?
In the command aprende mi nombre, the word aprende is the second-person singular imperative form of the verb aprender (to learn).
Which one should you use?
Use aprende mi nombre to command one person informally, while aprenda mi nombre is used to command one person formally. Use aprenden mi nombre to state that 'they learn my name' in the present tense, and use aprendí mi nombre to state 'I learned my name' in the past tense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The various forms provided serve different grammatical functions: aprende mi nombre is the informal singular imperative. aprenda mi nombre is the formal singular imperative. aprenden mi nombre is the third-person plural present indicative. And aprendí mi nombre is the first-person singular preterite.
How do you pronounce it?
/apɾende mi nombɾe/
Did you know?
- The word nombre can also be a contraction of no, hombre, which translates to 'no, man' or 'hey'.
- The verb aprender shares a root with the English word 'apprentice', both coming from the Latin word for 'to seize' or 'to grasp'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, people may use a nickname or 'apodo' instead of a legal nombre even in professional settings.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about a new colleague.
- SofíaAlejandro es muy distraído.Alejandro is very distracted.
- AlejandroSí, él nunca aprende mi nombre.Yes, he never learns my name.
- SofíaLo siento mucho, Sofía.I am very sorry, Sofía.
- AlejandroNo importa, ya estoy acostumbrada.It doesn't matter, I'm used to it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi, nombre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
