permíteme presentar
/peɾmiteme pɾesentaɾ/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase permíteme presentar means "let me introduce".
This phrase is a polite way to ask for permission to tell someone the name of another person. When you use the verb presentar to introduce a person, it is followed by the preposition a, as in presentar a…
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "let me introduce you to [someone]", you add the indirect object pronoun te to the end of the infinitive presentar, which results in presentarte. If you are speaking in a formal context using the usted form, you should use permítame instead of permíteme.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾmiteme pɾesentaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a formal introduction may be accompanied by a beso, a light kiss on one or both cheeks, even between people meeting for the first time.
- While presentar is used for people, if you want to introduce a topic or a project, you might use the verb plantear instead. This subtle shift moves from the act of 'making present' to 'laying out' an idea.
- While permíteme presentar is used for people, the word presentar is also used to describe a person 'presenting' symptoms of an illness to a doctor.
Examples in context
- Permíteme presentarte a mi esposa.Let me introduce my wife.This sentence shows how to use permíteme presentar to introduce a spouse.Tatoeba #1277285 by marcelostockle, translation #250916 by shanghainese
- Permíteme presentarte al señor Brown.Let me introduce you to Mr. Brown.This sentence shows how to use permíteme presentar to introduce someone to a specific person.Tatoeba #1656019 by marcelostockle, translation #1449373 by CN
- Permita que me presente, mi nombre es Marta Sánchez.Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Marta Sánchez.
- Permítame presentarme, soy José González.Allow me to introduce myself, I am José González.
- Te presento a mi amigo Juan, él es fotógrafo.I introduce you to my friend Juan, he is a photographer.
Example conversation
Javier is introducing a colleague to Sofía at a party.
- JavierSofía, permíteme presentarte a mi colega.Sofía, let me introduce you to my colleague.
- SofíaMucho gusto en conocerlo.Nice to meet you.
- JavierÉl es un experto en arte.He is an art expert.
- Sofía¡Qué interesante!How interesting!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
