# 5 Introducing people to each other

To introduce people in formal situations in Spanish, you can use the following expressions:

Le presento a Carlos Frutos.  – Let me introduce Carlos Frutos.

Le presento a la señora Serra.  – Let me introduce Mrs Serra.

Le presento al* señor Bustos.  – Let me introduce Mr Bustos.

(* a + el → al)

To introduce people in informal situations in Spanish, you can use the following expressions:

Este es Carlos. – This is Carlos.

Esta es Consuelo. – This is Consuelo.

Note that you use este when introducing a male, and esta when introducing a female. You can also just motion to each person as you say their name.

If the situation is formal, you can reply as follows.

- Mucho gusto.
- Encantado. – ‘Pleased to meet you.’
- Encantada.

If the situation is less formal, you can respond witht the following:

- ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?
- ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? – ‘Hello, how are you?’

## Activity 6

Listen to people being introduced and decide whether the situation is formal or informal.

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Transcript
Informal
Formal

### Discussion

In dialogue (a) the language used is informal: “Esta es…’’, “¡Hola, ¿qué tal?”. Fernando is introducing his friend María and his partner Liliana to another friend of his, Cristina.

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Transcript
Informal
Formal

### Discussion

In dialogue (b) the language used is formal: “señora Hernández”, “señor Fernando Cortés”, “le presento”, etc. This conversation takes place in a work context, and the participants haven’t met before.

## Activity 7

Listen to the audio below in which you are introduced to a number of people. Respond to the introduction formally or informally according to how they are introduced to you. Say your response out loud. A model answer is provided in the recording, although this may differ from the response you choose.

Note that encantada is said by a woman, encantado by a man; it does not depend on the gender of the person addressed, but on the gender of the person speaking.

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Transcript

OpenLearn - Getting started with Spanish 1
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