Me llamo Katie
/me ʝamo katje/from spelling rules
To say "my name is Katie" in Spanish, you use Me llamo Katie.
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 Katie is grammatically correct, Me llamo Katie is the much more natural and common way to introduce yourself in Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Soy Katie. is a common informal way to introduce oneself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb used is llamarse, a reflexive verb, which is why the pronoun me (myself) is required.
Did you know?
- The verb llamar also means 'to call' on the phone, so if you say Llamo a Katie instead of Me llamo Katie, you are telling someone that you are calling her on the telephone.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, introducing yourself with Me llamo is often accompanied by a single kiss on each cheek or a handshake, depending on the region and gender of the people meeting.
- If you are in a very formal business setting in many Spanish-speaking countries, it is common to follow your introduction with your surname, as using only a first name can sometimes feel too familiar.
Examples in context
- Mucho gusto, me llamo Katie.Nice to meet you, my name is Katie.
- Me llamo Katie.My name is Katie.
- Hola, me llamo Katie.Hello, my name is Katie.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
