Topic 1: Stating one's own name with "me llamo" 

  • This is one of those things that is much easier if you accept it as it is in Spanish, and don't try to force a translation to English.
     
  • "Me llamo" does not mean "my name". It is a verb phrase that literally means "I call myself".
     
  • "Me llamo es" is incorrect and does not exist in the language. Do not use this.

Topic 1: Stating one's own name with "me llamo"

Instead, learn the construction:

 

  • To state your own name: "Me llamo" + name
     
  • Or, if you want to be really emphatic, "Yo me llamo" + name. But it's not necessary or better to do do this.

I would say "Me llamo Karen", and/or "Me llamo Karen Jones". 

See? "Me llamo" plus my own name.

That's it. It's simple. Let it be simple.

Topic 1: Asking another person's name with "te llamas" or "se llama"

"Me llamo" plus your own name answers 2 possible questions: "¿Cómo te llamas? " and/or "¿Cómo se llama usted?" (they mean the same thing--only difference is level of formality)

Use "¿Cómo te llamas?", which is informal, when talking to:

  • Someone younger than you
  • Someone your own age
  • A classmate, unless there is a significant age difference

Use "¿Cómo se llama usted?", which is formal, when talking to:

  • Someone older than you
  • Anyone you'd automatically treat as "sir" or "ma'am" in English
  • Your professor, your boss, any employee of a business you visit who is your age or older.

Topic 1: Asking and answering questions about names

Let's practice! (¡Practiquemos!)

Here's the question for you to ask each other:  

¿Cómo te llamas?

  • How will you answer?
  • Of course, you will say "Me llamo" + your own name

Here's the question for you to ask me:  

¿Cómo se llama usted?

  • How do you think I will answer?

Topic 2: Asking and answering questions about how someone is feeling/doing

Here's the question for you to ask each other:  

¿Cómo estás?

  • To answer, you don't even need to use a verb (not yet, anyway! That's coming later)
  • Just say one of our chapter phrases for how you're feeling:
  • Muy bien, gracias
  • Bien, gracias
  • Regular
  • Mal (this really should be avoided, unless you're talking to a very good friend)

Here's the question for you to ask me:  

¿Cómo está usted?

  • How do you think I will answer?

Topic 3: Introductions:

Here's what our textbook tells you to say:  

Es mi [relation to you--friend, professor, etc]. Se llama [name].

  • As in: "Es mi amiga. Se llama Érica" 
  • When someone is introduced to you, respond by saying:
  • Mucho gusto (stays the same, regardless of your gender)
  • Encantada (if you are a woman)
  • Encantado (if you are a man)

Now, you are going to introduce a classmate to me.
This is your chunk:

Es mi compañero de clase. Se llama _[ NAME ]_____.

If time permits, you'll introduce me to a classmate by saying:

Es nuestra profesora. Se llama Karen Jones.
The other classmate will respond with:
"mucho gusto" or "encantado"