te prometo
/te pɾometo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'promise you' is translated into Spanish as te prometo.
The phrase is used to assure someone that you will definitely do something or that a statement is true. In natural speech, it is very common to add the pronoun lo (it) to the phrase, resulting in te lo prometo, which translates to 'I promise it to you' or 'I promise you (that)'. When you follow the phrase with a clause containing a subject and a verb, you must use the conjunction que before that clause.
Which one should you use?
While te prometo is the standard way to say 'I promise you', te lo prometo is a common variation used in natural conversation to mean 'I promise you (that)'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, when making a promise to a group of people you address informally, use os prometo. In Latin America, use les prometo to address a group of people, regardless of the level of formality.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a single person informally, use te prometo. For formal situations, use le prometo. To address multiple people in Spain informally, use os prometo, whereas in Latin America, use les prometo for any group. As noted, adding lo to create te lo prometo is a frequent way to express the idea in speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/te pɾometo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a promise is traditionally sealed with a promesa in a religious sense, which is a vow made to a saint in exchange for a miracle.
- In Spanish, the word promesa is used in a specific legal context to describe a 'promise' that is a binding preliminary contract, such as a promesa de compraventa for real estate.
- The word prometo shares an ancestral root with the English word 'promise', as both descend from the Latin 'promissum', meaning 'a thing undertaken'.
Examples in context
- Te prometo que cuidaré de ti.I promise you I'll look after you.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use te prometo to express a promise of care.Tatoeba #1322555 by Shishir, translation #953577 by CK
- Te prometo que nunca te dejaré.I promise you I won't ever leave you.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use te prometo to express a promise of loyalty.Tatoeba #1070552 by hayastan, translation #953572 by CK
- Te prometo que no llegaré tarde.I promise you I won't be late.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use te prometo to express a promise of punctuality.Tatoeba #6803860 by arh, translation #6803566 by CK
- Te prometo que haré todo lo posible por cumplir mi palabra.I promise you that I will do everything possible to keep my word.
- Prometo que cumpliré con todas las responsabilidades asignadas.I promise that I will fulfill all the assigned responsibilities.
- ¡Te lo juro! Nunca volveré a hacerlo.I promise you! I will never do it again.
- No te preocupes, te lo prometo. Siempre estaré aquí para ti.Don't worry, I promise you. I'll always be here for you.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about a secret.
- ElenaNo le diré a nadie, te prometo.I won't tell anyone, I promise you.
- MateoGracias, Elena. Confío en ti.Thanks, Elena. I trust you.
- ElenaTe prometo que tu secreto está a salvo.I promise you that your secret is safe.
- MateoMe alegra mucho escuchar eso, Mateo.I am very glad to hear that, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
