me llamo Alex
/me ʝamo aleɡs/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "my name is Alex" is expressed as me llamo Alex.
You can use me llamo [Name] to introduce yourself in most social or professional settings. While Mi nombre es Alex is grammatically correct, me llamo Alex is much more common in natural Spanish conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me llamo literally translates to "I call myself".
Which one should you use?
In contrast, Mi nombre es Alex is a more formal way to state your name.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase from "my name is" to "his name is" or "her name is", change me llamo to se llama.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ʝamo aleɡs/
Did you know?
- The verb llamar is used not only for names but also to summon someone or to call them on the phone. Because of this, me llamo can sound like 'I call myself' to an English speaker.
- In Spanish, you can respond to me llamo Alex by saying mucho gusto or encantado, which doesn't mean 'my name is' but 'pleased to meet you'.
- The word me in me llamo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'me', both descending from Proto-Indo-European roots.
Examples in context
- Me llamo Alex, pero prefiero que me llamen Augusto.My name is Alex, but I prefer that you all call me Augusto.This sentence is useful for showing how to use me llamo Alex while expressing a preference for a different name.Tatoeba #1116349 by Shishir, translation #1640170 by kerbear407
- Buenos días, mi nombre es Alex.Good morning, my name is Alex.
- Hola, me llamo Alex.Hello, my name is Alex.
- Mucho gusto, me llamo Alex.Nice to meet you, my name is Alex.
Example conversation
Two students meet for the first time in class.
- DanielHola, me llamo Alex. ¿Y tú?Hello, my name is Alex. And you?
- MaríaHola, Alex. Yo me llamo María.Hello, Alex. My name is María.
- DanielEs un placer conocerte, María.It is a pleasure to meet you, María.
- MaríaIgualmente, Alex.Likewise, Alex.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
