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.
a.
Informal
b.
Formal
The correct answer is a.
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.
a.
Informal
b.
Formal
The correct answer is b.
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.
Transcript
Listen to these introductions and respond appropriately.
1. Le presento a la señora García.
—¡Encantada!
2. Este es Luis.
—Hola, ¿qué tal?
3. Le presento a María del Mar Quintero.
Mucho gusto.
4. Esta es Lucía.
—Hola, ¿qué tal?
5. Le presento al señor Torres.
—¡Encantado!