Berlitz DailyLit Spanish Lessons (2 of 3 free samples)

COPYRIGHT
Berlitz DailyLit Spanish Lessons by Berlitz. Copyright 2008 Berlitz Publishing/APA Publications GmbH & Co. Verlag KG.
All Rights Reserved. Sharing not permitted.

Previous | Next

UNIDAD 1

Lección 2

GRAMÁTICA

FORMAL E INFORMAL

As you know, Spanish uses different words and verb forms to address people formally (usted/ustedes) or informally (tú/vosotros). Read the expressions below to practice the difference between formal and informal greetings.

Glad to meet you.

Encantado(a) de conocerle. FORMAL
[ehnkahntahdo/dah deh konosehrlo/lah]

Encantado(a) de conocerte. INFORMAL
[ehnkahntahdo/dah deh konosehrteh]

How are you?

¿Cómo está? FORMAL
[komo ehstah]

¿Cómo estás? INFORMAL
[komo ehstahs]

What's your name?

¿Cómo se llama? FORMAL
[komo seh l-yahmah]

¿Cómo te llamas? INFORMAL
[komo teh l-yahmahs]

Where are you from?

¿De dónde es? FORMAL
[deh dondeh ehs]

¿De dónde eres? INFORMAL
[deh dondeh ehrehs]

Are you from here?

¿Es usted de aquí? FORMAL
[ehs oostehd deh ahkee]

¿Eres de aquí? INFORMAL
[ehrehs deh ahkee]

As a general rule, when we want to address someone formally (in a business context, addressing someone older, or trying to show respect), we use the form of the verb corresponding to the third person (he/she/it/they). If we want to address the person informally (with close friends, family members, peers, children), we use the form of the verb corresponding to the second person (you).

A. Read the sentences below and indicate if the person is being addressed formally (F) or informally (I)

1. ¿Cómo está?
2. Encantada de conocerte.
3. ¿Cómo te llamas?
4. ¿De dónde es?
5. ¿Eres de California?
6. ¿Se llama Arturo?

---------------------------------------
WARNING: ANSWERS BELOW
---------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-
-
[Answers: Activity A. 1. Formal 2. Informal 3. Informal 4. Formal 5. Informal 6. Formal]