contigo
/kontiɡo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "with you" is contigo.
The phrase is used to indicate that someone is in the company of the person being spoken to.
Which one should you use?
contigo is a single word used specifically for the singular informal "you", whereas con usted or con ustedes must be used for formal or plural contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, con vos is used to mean "with you" in informal scenarios. In Spain, the plural informal "with you" is con vosotros, whereas in Latin America, con ustedes is used for both formal and informal plural "you".
How does it change in a sentence?
While contigo is used for the informal singular "you", the formal "with you" is expressed using the preposition con followed by the pronoun usted.
How do you pronounce it?
/kontiɡo/
Did you know?
- The word contigo is actually a 'fossil' of an ancient grammar structure. It stems from the Latin phrase 'cum tecum', which literally translates to 'with you with'.
- In some regions, using contigo instead of con vos can signal a shift in social distance. In parts of Argentina and Uruguay, contigo can sound overly formal or like a character from a dubbed movie.
- The word contigo appears in the title of many romantic songs and poems. It is often used not just to mean physical company, but as a symbol of spiritual or emotional alignment.
Examples in context
- Trae a Tom contigo.Bring Tom with you.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use contigo in a command.Tatoeba #4377586 by pchamorro, translation #3005493 by CK
- No puedo ir contigo.I can't go with you.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use contigo to express inability.Tatoeba #2085994 by marcelostockle, translation #1951740 by CK
- No quiero ir contigo.I don't want to go with you.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use contigo to express desire.Tatoeba #783246 by Shishir, translation #773431 by marloncori
- Prefiero trabajar con usted en este proyecto.I prefer to work with you on this project.
- Me gusta caminar junto a usted.I like to walk with you.
- Vamos al cine contigo.Let's go to the movies with you.
- No puedo imaginarme sin ti. Me gusta estar contigo.I can't imagine myself without you. I like being with you.
- Siempre estaré a tu lado.I will always be by your side.
- Quiero caminar a tu lado en la vida.I want to walk by your side in life.
- Quiero estar contigo para siempre.I want to be with you forever.
- Estaré a tu lado en las buenas y en las malas.I'll be by your side through thick and thin.
- ¿Querés que vaya al partido con vos?Do you want me to go to the game with you?
- 471 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are meeting at a cafe.
- Elena¿Puedo sentarme contigo?Can I sit with you?
- JavierClaro, Elena, siéntate conmigo.Of course, Elena, sit with me.
- ElenaMe alegra mucho estar contigo.I am very happy to be with you.
- JavierYo también quiero estar contigo.I also want to be with you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contigo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
