sí, lo somos
The English phrase "yes, we are" can be translated into Spanish as sí, lo somos.
This phrase is a short response used to confirm that the speaker and others share a particular quality or identity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "yes, it/that [we] are". The word lo functions as a direct object pronoun representing the adjective or noun that was previously mentioned.
How does it change in a sentence?
This specific form uses the verb ser (to be) and is used when the identity or quality being confirmed is permanent or a defining characteristic.
Did you know?
- The word sí is a linguistic twin to the English word 'self', both descending from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'one's own'.
- Because lo acts as a neuter placeholder, it remains the same even if the group being described is all female. You would still say sí, lo somos to confirm 'yes, we are' even when referring to a group of women.
- If the quality being confirmed is temporary, such as being tired or busy, a speaker cannot use sí, lo somos. They must switch to the verb estar, which does not use the lo pronoun in this way.
Examples in context
- ¿Son ustedes los encargados del departamento de ventas? Sí, así es.Are you the people in charge of the sales department? Yes, that's right.
- ¿Son ustedes los representantes legales de la empresa? Sí, efectivamente.Are you the legal representatives of the company? Yes, indeed.
- Si somos amigos, entonces sí, lo somos.If we are friends, then yes, we are.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are confirming their identity as students during a conversation.
- Daniel¿Son ustedes estudiantes de este curso?Are you students of this course?
- MaríaSí, lo somos.Yes, we are.
- DanielQué bueno, yo también lo soy.That's good, I am too.
- María¡Qué coincidencia, Daniel!What a coincidence, Daniel!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, somos, sí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
