me llamo Abby
/me ʝamo abbi/from spelling rules
To say "my name is Abby" in Spanish, use me llamo Abby.
A sentence used to introduce oneself by stating one's name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me llamo literally translates to "I call myself".
Which one should you use?
While Mi nombre es Abby is grammatically correct, me llamo Abby is much more common and natural in spoken Spanish for introductions. You may also use the more direct form Soy Abby to say "I am Abby".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain (Peninsular Spanish), individuals may use Soy Abby instead of me llamo Abby in informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase me llamo, the verb llamo is the first-person singular present indicative of llamarse (to call oneself).
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, introductions are often accompanied by a 'dos besos' or two-kiss greeting on the cheeks, though this is more common among women or between a man and a woman.
- While me llamo is the standard for names, the verb llamar is also used to describe the act of ringing a bell or calling someone's attention.
- The word me in me llamo shares an ancient root with the English word 'me', as both evolved from the same Proto-Indo-European origins to represent the self as an object.
Examples in context
- Hola, me llamo Abby.Hello, my name is Abby.
- Mucho gusto, me llamo Abby.Nice to meet you, my name is Abby.
- Perdón, me llamo Abby y soy nueva aquí.Excuse me, my name is Abby and I am new here.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a party.
- MateoHola, soy Mateo. ¿Cómo te llamas?Hi, I'm Mateo. What is your name?
- ElenaHola Mateo, me llamo Abby.Hi Mateo, my name is Abby.
- MateoEs un placer conocerte, Abby.It's a pleasure to meet you, Abby.
- ElenaIgualmente, Mateo.Likewise, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
