te llamas
/te ʝamas/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "your name is" is te llamas.
This phrase is used to state or ask about a person's name. In English, one might say "your name is," but in Spanish, this concept is expressed through the reflexive verb llamarse.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase te llamas literally means "you call yourself".
Which one should you use?
While English uses the verb "to be" (your name is), Spanish uses the reflexive verb llamarse (to call oneself).
How does it change in a sentence?
Use se llama instead of te llamas when speaking to someone formally or when referring to a third person.
How do you pronounce it?
/te ʝamas/
Did you know?
- The word llama in te llamas is the same word used for the fluffy South American animal, though they have entirely different origins.
- In some Latin American regions, the distinction between formal and informal 'you' is so strictly observed that using te llamas with a stranger could be seen as an unintentional sign of disrespect.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you ask ¿Cómo te llamas?, the person might respond with their first name and a paternal surname, rather than a single Western-style last name.
Examples in context
- Te llamas Tom, ¿verdad?Your name is Tom, right?Tatoeba #3602990 by ficion, translation #3368217 by CK
- Dice que no recuerda cómo te llamas.He says he doesn't remember what your name is.Tatoeba #3187540 by Shishir, translation #10367232 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Cómo se llama usted?What is your name?
Example conversation
Two people are meeting at a party.
- JavierHola, soy Javier. ¿Cómo te llamas?Hello, I am Javier. What is your name?
- LucíaHola, Javier. Me llamo Lucía.Hello, Javier. My name is Lucía.
- JavierMucho gusto, Lucía.Nice to meet you, Lucía.
- LucíaIgualmente.Likewise.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
