yo
/ˈʝo/masculine
The English word "self" can be translated into Spanish as yo or ser.
Meaning: individual person as the object of own reflective consciousness (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| yo | /ˈʝo/ | masculine |
| ser | /ˈseɾ/ | masculine |
In Spanish, the concept of the "self" as an individual person or the object of reflective consciousness can be expressed in different ways.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both yo and ser are tagged as masculine in the provided forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝo/
Did you know?
- The modern Spanish verb ser is a linguistic hybrid. It combined the Latin verb esse with the Old Spanish word seer, which originally meant 'to sit'.
- Spanish uses the reflexive pronoun se to create an 'impersonal self', allowing speakers to describe actions as if they happen to a generic person without naming a specific 'I'.
- The Spanish word yo can be used as a noun to describe the 'ego' in psychological contexts, such as in the phrase el yo, mirroring the Latin root egō̆.
Examples in context
- Yo ya no soy yo mismo. Me he vuelto una patética caricatura de mi más profundo ser.I am not myself anymore. I've become a laughable caricature of my deepest self.This sentence shows how to use yo to refer to one's own identity.Tatoeba #2266540 by marcelostockle, translation #2266542 by marcelostockle
- Algunos dicen que la abstención es la única opción para mejorar la política actual, pero eso es una utopía: los políticos no van a hacer autocrítica por ello y los que voten serán los que decidan el futuro.Some say that abstention from voting is the only option to improve the current political system, but that's just a fantasy: politicians are not going to be self-critical over it, and those who vote will be the people that decide the future.This sentence demonstrates the use of ser in the context of being self-critical.Tatoeba #10038200 by Shishir, translation #10501762 by Objectivesea
- La filosofía nos enseña sentirnos inseguros acerca de las cosas que nos parezcan evidentes por sí solas. Por otro lado, la propaganda nos enseña a aceptar por evidentes asuntos los cuales sería razonable someter a nuestro juicio o poner en duda.Philosophy teaches us to feel uncertain about the things that seem to us self-evident. Propaganda, on the other hand, teaches us to accept as self-evident matters about which it would be reasonable to suspend our judgment or to feel doubt.This sentence illustrates how ser is used in the concept of things being self-evident.Tatoeba #1235223 by marcelostockle, translation #690953 by Scott
- Yo mismo preparé la cena.I myself prepared dinner.
- ¿Usted misma envió el correo?Did you yourself send the email?
- Yo misma lo vi en el cine.I myself saw it at the movies.
- ¿Tú mismo lo hiciste?Did you yourself do it?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing personal growth.
- MaríaSiento que he perdido el yo verdadero.I feel that I have lost my true self.
- AlejandroA veces es necesario redescubrir el yo.Sometimes it is necessary to rediscover the self.
- María¿Cómo puedo recuperar mi yo interior, Alejandro?How can I recover my inner self, Alejandro?
- AlejandroDedica tiempo a conocer tu propio yo.Spend time getting to know your own self.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “self” translations and entries yo, ser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ser, yo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
