déme
DEH-meh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Por favor, déme una taza de café caliente.
A1Please, give me a hot cup of coffee.
Déme su pasaporte para revisar la documentación.
A2Give me your passport to check the documentation.
Si me permite, déme un momento para pensarlo bien.
B1If you allow me, give me a moment to think it through well.
💡 Grammar Points
Affixing Pronouns
When you tell someone to do something (a positive command), small words like me (to me) are attached directly to the end of the verb. The verb dé gets an accent mark to keep the stress on the first syllable.
Formal Command Structure
Déme uses the formal 'you' (usted). If you were talking to a friend, you would use the informal command and attach the pronoun: dame.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Separating the Pronoun
Mistake: "Dé me el libro."
Correction: Déme el libro. In positive commands, the pronoun *me* must be physically attached to the end of the verb, unlike in English.
Using the wrong 'You'
Mistake: "Dame la cuenta (in a formal restaurant)."
Correction: Déme la cuenta. Use *déme* when speaking to service staff or people you address as *usted*.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Politeness
Always include por favor (please) after déme to soften the command and make it sound like a polite request, especially when asking for things.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: déme
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the formal command 'déme'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'déme' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is there for two reasons: first, it differentiates *dé* (the command form) from the preposition *de* (of/from). Second, when you attach the pronoun *me*, the accent ensures the stress stays correctly on the first syllable.
Is 'déme' rude or demanding?
Not at all. While it is a command, it uses the polite *usted* form. When combined with *por favor*, it is the standard, respectful way to request something from a stranger or service worker.