siéntate
informal
To say "sit down" in Mexico use siéntate with a friend or child and siéntese with someone you address as usted. Tome asiento is a more formal invitation.
Meaning: invitation or command to take a seat (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| siéntate | informal |
| siéntese | formal |
| tome asiento | formal, polite |
Hosts in Mexico often add a warm word, like Pásale y siéntate for come in and sit down. For several people use siéntense.
Which one should you use?
Tome asiento is typical in offices and at ceremonies. Siéntate alone can sound abrupt if said without por favor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The command comes from sentarse. Siéntate is informal, siéntese is formal and siéntense is plural.
Did you know?
- In Mexican homes a guest hears Pásale almost at once, an open invitation to enter and sit.
Examples in context
- Pásale, siéntate.Come in, sit down.
- Siéntese, por favor.Please sit down.
- Tome asiento, el doctor ya viene.Take a seat, the doctor is coming.
Example conversation
Receptionist Laura greets patient Señor Ortega in a clinic in Mexico City.
- LauraBuenos días, señor Ortega. Tome asiento.Good morning, Mr. Ortega. Take a seat.
- Señor OrtegaGracias. ¿Tardará mucho el doctor?Thank you. Will the doctor be long?
- LauraSolo cinco minutos. Siéntese cómodo.Only five minutes. Sit comfortably.
