Can someone explain what is the difference between "soy" , "me" , "mi" , and "estoy"?

0 Vote

Hola

Soy = I am - from the verb "ser" meaning to be.

Estoy = I am - from the verb "estar" also meaning to be.

Check out lesson 1.11 for more info on when to use ser and estar.

One guideline could be that ser is used for permanent conditions and estar for temporary conditions, but you will need more than that to get hold of it all. It`s not very easy

Me = Me

(they sometimes use "me" in spanish when you would say "I" in english. Check out the answer from webdunce - it is more accurate).

Mi = My.

Nov 10, 2009
| Edited by Thomas-de-No Nov 10, 2009
| link
| history
| flag

That lesson is a good one!! :) Paralee does a great job explaining!! :) - Jason7R Nov 10, 2009 flag

Sure but it still takes time to get hold of it all - it`s a jungle! Hehe - Thomas-de-No Nov 10, 2009 flag

Add Comment

1 Vote

webdunce

Me = Me (they sometimes use "me" in spanish when you would say "I" in english.

I think this is more of an illusion than anything else.

Spanish does not use "me" to mean the same thing as the English "I." The Spanish word for I is yo and Spanish hardly ever uses it. However, Spanish does use a different word order than English, which can make me end up at the front of the sentence, which can make it seem like Spanish is using me for I.

So, for example, in Spanish, to say the equivalent of "I like apples," you say "Me gustan manzanas." So, it looks like Spanish is using me where English would use I. However, the Spanish sentence literally means "Apples are pleasing to me." So, this example Spanish sentence actually doesn´t even contain the word "I" at all.

Nov 10, 2009
| Edited by webdunce Nov 10, 2009
| link
| history
| flag

Good clarification! - Thomas-de-No Nov 10, 2009 flag

Add Comment

0 Vote

Jason7R

"Soy" is used for "I am" in the case of being permanent like "Soy Americano" --"I am an American" whereas "estoy" is used for feelings and location such as "Estoy triste"--"I am sad". As for "me" it is for the word "me" and "mi" (without the accent over the i) is for "my". I hope this helps and I am sure the gurus will be in soon!!