# Meeting the family in Spanish

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Updated 2026-10-23 · HTML version: https://learnwithkin.com/spanish/phrases/meeting-the-family

> Start with *Mucho gusto* (nice to meet you) and *usted* with parents and grandparents until they tell you otherwise. Compliment the food (*¡Qué rico está todo!*), offer to help (*¿Le ayudo con algo?*), and don't be shy about *¿Me lo puede repetir más despacio?* Effort is what people remember, not grammar.

Capitals mark the stressed syllable. Spanish vowels are short and clean: *a* as in father, *e* as in bet, *i* as in machine, *o* as in more, *u* as in rule.

## Arriving and greeting

- **Mucho gusto.** (MOO-choh GOOS-toh): Nice to meet you.
  Literally: "Much pleasure."
  Works everywhere, for anyone. The reply is often *el gusto es mío* (the pleasure's mine).
- **Encantado. · Encantada.** (ehn-kahn-TAH-doh · ehn-kahn-TAH-dah): Lovely to meet you.
  Literally: "Enchanted."
  The ending matches you, the speaker: a man says *encantado*, a woman *encantada*.
- **Gracias por recibirme.** (GRAH-syahs pohr reh-see-BEER-meh): Thank you for having me.
- **Me han hablado mucho de ustedes.** (meh ahn ah-BLAH-doh MOO-choh deh oos-TEH-dehs): I've heard so much about you all.
  *Ustedes* works everywhere. In Spain, family will usually use *vosotros* among themselves.
- **¿Cómo está usted?** (KOH-moh ehs-TAH oos-TEHD): How are you?
  *Usted* is the respectful form. Use it with parents and grandparents until they invite you to use *tú*.

Greetings are physical. In Spain, expect two kisses on the cheek, right cheek first. In Mexico, one kiss on the right cheek is usual between women and between men and women, and men often shake hands or hug. Follow their lead.

## At the table

- **¡Qué rico está todo!** (KEH REE-koh ehs-TAH TOH-doh): Everything is delicious!
  Literally: "How rich everything is!"
  *Rico* means tasty in Latin America. In Spain, *¡Está todo buenísimo!*
- **¿Le ayudo con algo?** (leh ah-YOO-doh kohn AHL-goh): Can I help you with anything?
  Offer, even if you'll be told to sit down. Being told to sit down is part of it.
- **Sí, un poquito más, gracias.** (SEE, oon poh-KEE-toh MAHS, GRAH-syahs): Yes, a little more, thanks.
  Saying yes to seconds is a compliment.
- **Ya estoy lleno. · Ya estoy llena.** (yah ehs-TOY YEH-noh · YEH-nah): I'm full.
  Matches the speaker again. Add *¡pero estaba buenísimo!* (but it was delicious).
- **Con permiso.** (kohn pehr-MEE-soh): Excuse me.
  Literally: "With permission."
  When you leave the table, pass in front of someone or take the last of something. Especially important in Mexico.

## When you don't understand

- **Estoy aprendiendo español.** (ehs-TOY ah-prehn-DYEHN-doh ehs-pah-NYOHL): I'm learning Spanish.
  Say it early. People slow down and become your best teachers.
- **¿Me lo puede repetir más despacio?** (meh loh PWEH-deh reh-peh-TEER MAHS dehs-PAH-syoh): Could you say that again, more slowly?
  With *tú*: *¿Me lo repites más despacio?*
- **¿Cómo se dice…?** (KOH-moh seh DEE-seh): How do you say…?
- **¿Qué significa…?** (KEH seeg-nee-FEE-kah): What does … mean?

## What you'll hear

- **Estás en tu casa.** (ehs-TAHS ehn too KAH-sah): Make yourself at home.
  Literally: "You're in your house."
- **Háblame de tú. · Tutéame.** (AH-blah-meh deh TOO · too-TEH-ah-meh): You don't need to be so formal with me.
  Literally: "Speak to me with tú."
  The invitation to drop *usted*. *Háblame de tú* is common in Mexico, *tutéame* in Spain.
- **¡Buen provecho! · ¡Provecho!** (BWEHN proh-BEH-choh): Enjoy your meal!
  Literally: "Good benefit!"
  Said to people eating, even strangers in a restaurant in Mexico. Reply *gracias*.
- **¿Gustas?** (GOOS-tahs): Would you like some?
  Literally: "Do you like?"
  Mexico: offering you what they're eating. *No, gracias, muy amable* if not.

## Leaving

- **Muchas gracias por todo.** (MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs pohr TOH-doh): Thank you so much for everything.
- **Ya me voy.** (yah meh BOY): I'm heading off now.
  Literally: "Already I go."
  Expect it to take a while: goodbyes are long, and leaving quickly can seem cold.

## Questions

### Should I use tú or usted with my partner's parents?

Start with *usted*, especially with parents and grandparents, and switch when they say *háblame de tú* or *tutéame*. In Spain families often move to *tú* quickly; in Mexico and much of Latin America *usted* can last longer, and with grandparents sometimes for good.

### What if I make mistakes?

You will, and it won't matter. To most families, someone learning their language for them is the compliment. Saying *estoy aprendiendo* early sets the tone.

## Related

- [Ordering a coffee in Spanish](https://learnwithkin.com/spanish/phrases/ordering-coffee.md)
- [Numbers in Spanish](https://learnwithkin.com/spanish/numbers.md)
- [How long does it really take to learn Spanish?](https://learnwithkin.com/spanish/how-long-to-learn.md)

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