Small changes to sound more formal (In Spanish) ?

Question

After having a short conversation with a member about sounding more formal in English, I am wondering what small changes I can make to sound more formal and/or polite when speaking Spanish.

• I have read that when someone says 'con permiso', you can reply 'suyo' or 'adelante' to be more polite.

• I have read that asking '¿Tiene la hora?' and '¿Me puede decir la hora?' are more formal than asking '¿Qué hora es?'

• Saying '¿Me podría dar...?' or '¿Me da...?' instead of saying 'dame...'

• Saying 'Es un placer conocerlo(a)' or 'Encandado(a) de conocerlo(a)' instead of 'Mucho gusto'

• Saying 'Quisiera' instead of 'Quiero'

• Asking '¿Mande?' or '¿Perdon?' instead of '¿Qué?' if you need someone to repeat what they said.

Do you guys have any other examples?

--

My hubby just add the phrases 'Si es tan amable...' and '¿Me permite...?'

In Colombia you might reply 'siga' to a 'con permiso', although you are more likely to hear 'perdon' if you are in someone's way. - afowen, Dec 27, 2010

Great thread! In Mexico I have also heard "propio" and "pásele" in response to "con permiso". :) - athegr8, Dec 27, 2010

Thanks :) 'Propio' is another good one. - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 1

I know when you're asking someone to do something, a super polite way is to use "Sería tan amable de (unconjugated verb and thing)." For example "Sería tan amable de abrir la ventana." I was taught that in Costa Rica. It's like "Would you be so kind as to...blah blah." And of course, usted, usted, usted!

Thank you! :) - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Nice, I havent heard that- BTW Usted seems to be the preferred communication in most of central america - AngelinaG, Dec 27, 2010

No problem-I know, I hope I can use it more easily when I go back to Costa, having learned Spanish completely in tu. I almost immediately revert to it, haha. - Ashlita, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 2

oh, I though of another- when you dont hear what someone says, or dont understand, instead of ¿Qué? or ¿Cómo? in México (which you probably have already heard) they say ¿Mande? and in Guatemala more frequently ¿Qué manda? is heard

Yes... I have that one on my list above :) It is very common here. - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 3

Nice post Alma - my idea is 'if you are speaking to a person you don't know, who isn't your friend, forget about 'tu' and use 'Vd' - that shows respect and they can always ask you to use tu if they want!

That is what I always do... Unless they are younger than I am. - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Ha, you're right, I remember hearing people speak to their (little) kids and saying 'Vd' - I thought it was a bit odd.... - margaretbl, Dec 27, 2010

That is actually very common. My hubby does the same with our daughter too. - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 4

In Guatemala they have tons of ways to express formality, as society is very traditional and polite. One of my favorites is when someone says "perdóneme/ discúlpeme" etc, a nice response is 'No tenga pena'

Nice... I wonder if people use that one here... I am in Mexico :) - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

I have lots of mexican friends and have never heard them say it, also spent a couple of weeks in Queretaro and never heard it, perhaps it is used in southern Mexico where linguistic contact between Guatemalan and Mexican dialects? - AngelinaG, Dec 27, 2010

we have not heard that phrase in (northern) México - pacofinkler, Dec 27, 2010

No clue... I am in León, Gto :) - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 5

i have heard more frequently '' que hora tienes'' (tú) or ''que hora tiene'' (usted)

Oh, that one is good too, thanks :) - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 6

You could address people as 'su merced'

Jaja... That is like Castellano antiguo. - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

I agree with Alma C, it is VERY formal and VERY old spanish-- people may think you are being sarcastic - AngelinaG, Dec 27, 2010

Yeah... I'd rather not... Haha. An interesting fact, though - Usted is derived from vuestra merced. - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010