Isn't saying "yo soy" redundant?

Question

Why do people say "Yo soy"? Why the two together?

Welcome to the forum! - NikkiLR, Jul 23, 2013

Thanks! I'm using SpanishDict and the (relatively) new website duolingo to learn Spanish. My goal is fluency. - 0v3rKill, Jul 23, 2013

Good luck =) - NikkiLR, Jul 23, 2013

Answer 1

According to what I understand, it is not redundant. Yo is a pronoun like (I) in English. Soy is a verb equivalent to verb to be. For example, Yo (i) soy(am) de(from) España(Spain) or yo(I) soy(am) español(Spanish).

I would add something but I'm not 100% sure of it, but in Spanish they skip the pronoun because with each pronoun a verb is conjugated differently and it reflects its pronoun unlike in English. We don't just say "go," without a pronoun because "go" could either mean "we go" "they go" "I go" or the imperative "go!"

Hope it helps!

Thank you! That makes sense. - 0v3rKill, Jul 23, 2013

Glad I helped. Keep it up! - spuny, Jul 23, 2013

Answer 2

Is saying "yo soy" redundant? I agree with Spuny -- it is not redundant. However, use of the pronoun "yo" is superflous and unnecessary. Since the verb "soy" is the first person singular conjugation of "ser," the only pronoun that can go with it is "yo." Use of "soy" makes it understood that the subject of the sentence is "yo," thereby making the pronoun superflous. (Interestingly, SD translates "redundant" as "superfluo, redundante" in Spanish.)

Those of us who learned to conjugate verbs like "ser" by rote (Yo soy, tú eres, él/ella es...etc.) sometimes find it a difficult habit to break, despite reminders here on SD! That may be why some people say "yo soy" instead of just "soy".

"Soy Paralee Whitmire y soy tu profesora." :D - Findy, Jul 23, 2013

But if she is cross, she will say : YO soy tu profesora.. - annierats, Jul 23, 2013

*shudders* I can't imagine Paralee ever anything but her sweet smile!! - Findy, Jul 23, 2013

Answer 3

It's not redundant, in spanish you can omit subject pronouns if it's obvious from the context of the phrase who the subject is

For instance:

"Yo soy Camilo y soy colombiano"

I have already stated the subject pronoun in the beginning of the phrase so I don't need to state that again.

You can also use the subject pronoun to emphasize that indeed you're the person who will carry out the action.

Thanks, Kam - that's good to know. :D - Findy, Jul 23, 2013

glad it's helpful :) - Kam99, Jul 23, 2013

Answer 4

En el paro estoy.

If you want to say you're redundant, you're out of work???

Possibly this is not the question??

Annie, being 'made redundant' is a British expression. :) You wouldn't say that in the USA, but would just be 'fired.' - Findy, Jul 23, 2013

"Attention: All non-essential staff please report to the conference room." - a message from the Department of Redundancy Department (with a nod to Monty Python) - Parrandero, Jul 23, 2013

They are not the same. If a firm goes bust, or can't afford you, you get made redundant Being fired implies you wer useless to the firm! - annierats, Jul 23, 2013

Ohhh! I was wrong. Being made redundant is the equivalent of getting "laid off" in the USA. :) - - Findy, Jul 23, 2013