Lesson 04 – Show Time Spanish

In this fourth episode of Show Time Spanish, Mark has just returned from a week in London and he discusses the advantages and disadvantages of living in a village, town or city with Alba. We also meet Laura from Verano Español, our forthcoming soap opera. In José’s intermedio he introduces two phrases which use the verb ponerse. Grammar points covered include the pluperfect tense, using the subjunctive and the use of the nosotros form of the present subjunctive to translate “let’s do something”.

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How do you say ‘where do you live’ in Spanish?

Learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to asking basic questions like ‘where do you live’ in Spanish especially because there are several ways to ask this question, depending on the formality of the situation.

This article will guide you through the different expressions and how to respond to them, making it easier for you to communicate in Spanish. You can play the episode and listen to it along with the article to get a better understanding of the phrases and also to practice pronunciation.

How do you say ‘where do you live’ in Spanish

You may be wondering how you say ‘where do you live’ in Spanish, and actually we have two main ways to ask this – one uses formality and another doesn’t. ¡Vamos!

‘¿Dónde vives?’

This is an informal way to ask someone where they currently reside, where they live.

‘¿Dónde vive usted?’

¿Dónde vive usted? is our formal way to ask you ‘where do you live’ in Spanish. Use this question in formal contexts or with strangers.

Responding to ‘where do you live?’ in Spanish

Now that we know how to ask ‘where do you live’ in Spanish, it’s time to learn how to answer.

‘Vivo en…’

To answer the question ‘where do you live’ in Spanish we are going to use the structure vivo en followed by the name of the place, it can be a town, a city, a country or any location. Por ejemplo:

A: ¿Dónde vives?
B: Vivo en Madrid / España / Europa.

A: Where do you live?
B: I live in Madrid / Spain / Europe.

Negative responses

Sometimes you might need to clarify that you are not from a particular place or don’t live there. Here are some useful phrases:

‘No soy de…’

Use this phrase to clarify where you are not from. It means I am not from… and it’s important to notice where no is – in Spanish it’s before the verb soy, but in English it’s after the verb am.

  • No soy de Perú, soy de Argentina. I am not from Peru, I am from Argentina.

‘No vivo en…’

Use this phrase to specify where you do not live. For example:

  • No vivo en Lima, vivo en Cuzco. I don’t live in Lima, I live in Cusco.

Additional useful phrases

We can build up our conversations by adding more information now that we know how to say where we are not from. Let’s have a look at other useful phrases that can be practical for you!

‘No me llamo…’

If ‘my name is’ is me llamo in Spanish, adding a no before means my name is not. Por ejemplo:

A: ¿Cómo te llamas?
B: Se llama Raúl.
C: No, no me llamo Raúl. Me llamo Marcos.

A: What’s your name?
B: His name is Raúl.
C: No, my name isn’t Raúl. My name is Marcos.

‘Sí’

Sí with an accent means ‘yes’, and it is used in Spanish to agree with something someone has said. For example:

A: ¿Cómo te llamas?
B: Se llama Marcos.
C: Sí, me llamo Marcos.

A: What’s your name?
B: His name is Marcos.
C: Yes, my name is Marcos.

‘Pero’

A very common thing that happens is that we are from a place but we live somewhere else, here is when knowing how to use pero (‘but’) becomes handy.

  • Yo soy de España, pero vivo en Escocia. I am from Spain, but I live in Scotland.

That’s all for this episode!

Now that you know how to ask and answer ‘where do you live’ in Spanish, you can start practising these phrases in real-life conversations. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to use these expressions as often as possible.

Whether you’re travelling, meeting new people, or just learning Spanish for fun, knowing these basics will help you communicate more effectively. ¡Buena suerte!

We recommend you listen to the episode again and try to answer these questions along with Mark and Cara to continue practising! By understanding and using these key phrases, you’ll be well on your way to mastering how to say ‘where do you live’ in Spanish.

In our next episode, we’ll learn the family members in Spanish and we’ll be able to talk about our family. Exciting, isn’t it? Don’t miss the episode and continue practicing and improving your Spanish.

Happy Coffee Breaking!

 

Episode 03 – Write Back Soon – English Phrasal Verbs

In this third episode, you’ll hear more from Duncan who this week shares some of his concerns relating to Lisa’s new friends in Canada. Verbs included in this episode are run through, run over, run down, see to, come across, take back and more.

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Lesson 03 – Show Time Spanish

In lesson 3 of Show Time Spanish, Alba tells Mark about a Halloween party she attended. They discuss the traditions of Halloween. In the intermedio José provides two alternative ways to say that you’re tired. Grammar points include reflexive verbs in a different tenses, the subjunctive after quizás.

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Learning the basics: asking ‘what’s your name?’ and ‘where are you from?’ in Spanish

Whether you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, trying to connect with new friends, or just eager to pick up a new skill, learning the basics of Spanish can be incredibly rewarding. Today, we’re going to focus on two fundamental questions: ‘‘what’s your name’ and ‘where are you from’ in Spanish. 

These are essential phrases that can help you navigate social interactions and start conversations with ease. Don’t forget to listen to the podcast too so you get to know the pronunciation of the phrases and get the chance to practice with Mark and Cara.

How to ask ‘what’s your name’ in Spanish

When you meet someone for the first time, it’s polite to ask their name. In Spanish, you have a couple of ways to do this, depending on the formality of the situation.

Informal phrase

The informal way to say ‘What is your name?’ in Spanish is ¿Cómo te llamas? Use this version when you are speaking to someone of a similar age or when you’re in a casual context.

Formal phrase

The formal version of ‘What is your name?’ in Spanish is ¿Cómo se llama?  It’s used when addressing someone you don’t know well, someone older, or in a formal setting to show respect.

Saying ‘my name is’ in Spanish

Knowing how to say ‘my name is’ in Spanish is a great tool in your language arsenal, showing politeness and personal engagement. 

There are different ways to say it, but the main one is Me llamo… followed by your name. This phrase, is a great tool in your language arsenal, showing politeness and personal engagement.

We may also use Mi nombre es… to say my name is in Spanish, but Me llamo is the most common phrase.

How to ask ‘where are you from’ in Spanish

Moving beyond names, knowing how to ask and answer ‘where are you from’ in Spanish is crucial. It’s not just about geography; it’s a great way to make a personal connection and learn more about others. Like before, there are two ways of asking where someone is from in Spanish.

¿De dónde eres?

This is the informal way to ask ‘where are you from’ in Spanish. Use this with people who are of a similar age or in a casual setting.

¿De dónde es usted? 

This one on the other hand is the formal version of the question. It is appropriate when you are speaking to someone older, in a formal situation, or when you want to show respect.

How to answer the question ‘where are you from’ in Spanish

If someone asks you ‘where are you from’ in Spanish using a formal or informal phrase, you can respond with Soy de… followed by the name of your country. For example:

  • Soy de Inglaterra. I am from England.
  • Soy de Estados Unidos. I am from the United States.
  • Soy de Francia. I am from France.
  • Soy de Irlanda. I am from Ireland.
  • Soy de Escocia. I am from Scotland.
  • Soy de Australia.  I am from Australia.

This straightforward structure not only answers the question but also keeps the conversation flowing.

That’s all for this blog article! 

Saying ’my name is’ in Spanish and asking ‘where are you from’ in Spanish are great starting points for any beginner. Practising these phrases will help you build confidence in your Spanish-speaking abilities. Remember, the key to learning a new language is repetition and real-world usage. 

Try these phrases out the next time you meet a Spanish speaker, and see how much it enhances your interaction! If you would like to know more nationalities in Spanish and keep improving your speaking, don’t miss the next blog article! ¡Vamos!

Happy Coffee Breaking!