PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Education and Communications
World Languages
Spanish
How to Respond to "¿De dónde eres?" Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 “Soy de…” (“Soy day”) 2 “Nací en…” (“Nah-see ehn”) 3 “Soy estadounidense.” (“Soy es-tah-doh-oo-ni-den-say”) 4 “Soy de... pero vivo en...” ("Soy day...pey-ro vee-vo ehn") 5 “Nací en... pero soy...” ("Nah-see ehn...pey-ro soy...") 6 “Nací en...pero también soy...” ("Nah-see ehn...pey-ro tam-bee-ehn soy...") + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Related Articles References Co-authored by Language Academia and Nihal Shetty
Last Updated: June 1, 2025
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Language Academia and by wikiHow staff writer, Nihal Shetty. Language Academia is a private, online language school founded by Kordilia Foxstone. Kordilia and her team specialize in teaching foreign languages and accent reduction. Language Academia offers courses in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin. This article has been viewed 32,410 times.
A typical get-to-know-you question in Spanish is “¿De dónde eres?” or “Where are you from?” If you’re spending time around Spanish-speakers, you’ve probably been asked this question more than once. If you’re not sure what the right response is, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll show you some standard ways to respond to “¿De dónde eres?” then show you how to combine these expressions to sound even more like a Spanish pro.
Steps
1
“Soy de…” (“Soy day”)
Download Article
“I am from…” is the most typical response to this question. You can say you’re from a city, state, or country, just like in English: “Soy de Palo Alto,” “Soy de California,” and “Soy de los Estados Unidos” are all completely correct.[1]XResearch source
In Spanish, personal pronouns like “I,” “you,” or “she” are often dropped from speech, since verbs already tell you this information by changing form depending on their subject. You might hear someone say “Yo soy de California.” Using “yo” (I) in this sentence is correct, but not strictly necessary.
Advertisement 2
“Nací en…” (“Nah-see ehn”)
Download Article
“I was born in…” is another possible response you can use. Like with “Soy de…,” you can name a city, state, or country: “Nací en Palo Alto,” “Nací en California,” “Nací en los Estados Unidos.”[2]XResearch source
“I am American” (or, any other nationality) is another proper response. Demonyms (adjectives describing nationalities) are sometimes different than you might expect in Spanish, so it might be a good idea to check an online Spanish dictionary if you’re not sure what yours is.[3]XResearch source
Although “Soy Americano/Americana” is commonly used in Spanish to mean that you’re from the United States, try using “estadounidense” if you’re in Latin America. Latin Americans consider themselves to be American as well.[4]XResearch source
Advertisement 4
“Soy de... pero vivo en...” ("Soy day...pey-ro vee-vo ehn")
Download Article
“Pero vivo en” means “but I live in,” and is handy if you don’t live where you’re from. For example, you might say “Soy de Palo Alto pero vivo en México” (“I am from Palo Alto but I live in Mexico”). Details like these can help you explain your background in more detail.
5
“Nací en... pero soy...” ("Nah-see ehn...pey-ro soy...")
Download Article
"Pero soy" ("but I am") is useful if your nationality is different from your place of birth. For example, you could say "Nací en México pero soy estadounidense" ("I was born in Mexico but I am American"). By combining some of the phrases that we’ve learned so far, we can get even more specific about our backgrounds. This will help make your Spanish sound even more fluent.
Advertisement 6
“Nací en...pero también soy...” ("Nah-see ehn...pey-ro tam-bee-ehn soy...")
Download Article
“También” means "also," and is useful if you have two nationalities. It's also a common and good word to know when you’re interacting in a Spanish-speaking context generally. You might say something like, “Nací en Canadá pero también soy Mexicano/Mexicana” (“I was born in Canada but I am also Mexican.”)
Spanish adjectives that end in “o” or “a” are gendered, which means they change depending on the gender of the subject. If you’re a man, say “Mexicano,” and if you’re a woman, say “Mexicana.”
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
You Might Also Like
What’s the Meaning of “Where are You From?” Definition, Replies, & MoreHow toIntroduce Yourself in SpanishHow toSay "What's Your Name?" in SpanishHow toSay How Are You in Spanish13 Casual & Formal Ways to Reply to “¿Cómo estás?”How toSpeak Spanish (Basics)How toSay Hello in Spanish37 Ways to Say Good Morning in SpanishHow toSay Common Words and Phrases in PortugueseHow toSay "Nice to Meet You" in SpanishHow toLearn to Speak SpanishHow Do You Say “I Don't Speak Spanish” in Spanish?How toDescribe Yourself in FrenchHow toSay “My Name Is” in French Advertisement
Co-authored by: Language Academia Language Tutors This article was co-authored by Language Academia and by wikiHow staff writer, Nihal Shetty. Language Academia is a private, online language school founded by Kordilia Foxstone. Kordilia and her team specialize in teaching foreign languages and accent reduction. Language Academia offers courses in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin. This article has been viewed 32,410 times. 9 votes - 78% Co-authors: 7Updated: June 1, 2025 Views: 32,410 Categories: Spanish
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,410 times.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Language Academia Language Tutors 9 votes - 78% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 7Updated: June 1, 2025 Views: 32,410
Quizzes & Games
Guess the Language QuizTake QuizWhich American Dialect Do I Have QuizTake QuizGuess Which State I'm From QuizTake QuizCan We Guess What State You're In QuizTake QuizGrammar TestTake QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
What’s the Meaning of “Where are You From?” Definition, Replies, & MoreHow toIntroduce Yourself in SpanishHow toSay "What's Your Name?" in SpanishHow toSay How Are You in Spanish
Featured Articles
What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)
Trending Articles
What Song Was #1 On My Birthday?How Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereBest Personality TestDo I Have Common Sense QuizDaily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧Compatibility Test
Featured Articles
What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasHow toExercise Your BrainHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithWhat Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?
Featured Articles
How toDevelop Productive HabitsHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Type A B C D Personality Test
Watch Articles
How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean)How to Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysHow toThicken Sauce with FlourHow to Brighten Up White Shirts and Other GarmentsHow to Cook White Rice without a Rice CookerHow to Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)
Trending Articles
10 Ways to Get Rid of a Hickey FastWhat Am I Craving Quiz150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party GoingWhich Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Toxic Family Test
Quizzes & Games
Where Should I Move QuizTake QuizAm I Bisexual or Pansexual QuizTake QuizHow Gay Am I QuizTake QuizImpossible English TestTake QuizGuess the Flag QuizTake QuizUnited States Geography QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Education and Communications
World Languages
Spanish
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 “Soy de…” (“Soy day”) 2 “Nací en…” (“Nah-see ehn”) 3 “Soy estadounidense.” (“Soy es-tah-doh-oo-ni-den-say”) 4 “Soy de... pero vivo en...” ("Soy day...pey-ro vee-vo ehn") 5 “Nací en... pero soy...” ("Nah-see ehn...pey-ro soy...") 6 “Nací en...pero también soy...” ("Nah-see ehn...pey-ro tam-bee-ehn soy...") + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Related Articles References Co-authored by Language Academia and Nihal Shetty 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Language Academia Language Tutors This article was co-authored by Language Academia and by wikiHow staff writer, Nihal Shetty. Language Academia is a private, online language school founded by Kordilia Foxstone. Kordilia and her team specialize in teaching foreign languages and accent reduction. Language Academia offers courses in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin. This article has been viewed 32,410 times. 9 votes - 78% Co-authors: 7 Updated: June 1, 2025 Views: 32,410 Categories: Spanish 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
515 
“I am from…” is the most typical response to this question. You can say you’re from a city, state, or country, just like in English: “Soy de Palo Alto,” “Soy de California,” and “Soy de los Estados Unidos” are all completely correct.[1] 
“I was born in…” is another possible response you can use. Like with “Soy de…,” you can name a city, state, or country: “Nací en Palo Alto,” “Nací en California,” “Nací en los Estados Unidos.”[2] 
“I am American” (or, any other nationality) is another proper response. Demonyms (adjectives describing nationalities) are sometimes different than you might expect in Spanish, so it might be a good idea to check an online Spanish dictionary if you’re not sure what yours is.[3] 
“Pero vivo en” means “but I live in,” and is handy if you don’t live where you’re from. For example, you might say “Soy de Palo Alto pero vivo en México” (“I am from Palo Alto but I live in Mexico”). Details like these can help you explain your background in more detail. 
"Pero soy" ("but I am") is useful if your nationality is different from your place of birth. For example, you could say "Nací en México pero soy estadounidense" ("I was born in Mexico but I am American"). By combining some of the phrases that we’ve learned so far, we can get even more specific about our backgrounds. This will help make your Spanish sound even more fluent. Advertisement 
“También” means "also," and is useful if you have two nationalities. It's also a common and good word to know when you’re interacting in a Spanish-speaking context generally. You might say something like, “Nací en Canadá pero también soy Mexicano/Mexicana” (“I was born in Canada but I am also Mexican.”) 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.