me
/meh/
me
Here, 'me' shows that the action of the verb is happening directly to me.
📝 In Action
Ella me ve.
A1She sees me.
¿Me ayudas, por favor?
A1Can you help me, please?
Mis padres me quieren mucho.
A2My parents love me a lot.
💡 Grammar Points
Where Does 'Me' Go?
Most of the time, 'me' comes right before the main verb. For example, 'Ella me llama' (She calls me), not 'Ella llama me'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'me' and 'yo'
Mistake: "Using 'yo' when 'me' is needed. For example, saying 'Él ve yo.'"
Correction: Use 'yo' when you are the one doing the action ('Yo corro' - I run). Use 'me' when the action is done to you ('Él me ve' - He sees me).
⭐ Usage Tips
The Target of the Action
Think of 'me' as the target. If a verb is an arrow, 'me' is what the arrow hits. In 'She calls me,' the action of calling is aimed at 'me'.
In this case, 'me' means something is being given to me or done for me.
📝 In Action
Mi abuela me da dinero.
A1My grandmother gives money to me.
¿Me compras un helado?
A1Will you buy an ice cream for me?
Él me escribe una carta.
A2He writes a letter to me.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Gustar' Family
Verbs like 'gustar' (to like), 'encantar' (to love), and 'importar' (to matter) almost always use 'me'. Think of it as 'Something is pleasing to me'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding an Unnecessary 'a'
Mistake: "Saying 'Él da a me un libro.'"
Correction: The little word 'me' already includes the idea of 'to me'. Just say 'Él me da un libro'. You only add 'a mí' for emphasis, like 'A mí me gusta el chocolate' (I'm the one who likes chocolate).
⭐ Usage Tips
Ask 'To Whom?' or 'For Whom?'
If you're describing an action and can ask 'To whom?' or 'For whom?', and the answer is 'me', then you need to use the Spanish word 'me'.
When you do something to yourself, like washing your hands or waking up, you use 'me'.
📝 In Action
Me levanto a las siete.
A1I get (myself) up at seven.
Me ducho todos los días.
A1I shower (myself) every day.
Siempre me olvido de las llaves.
B1I always forget (myself) the keys.
💡 Grammar Points
Daily Routine Verbs
Many verbs for daily routines use 'me'. In the dictionary, they end in '-se' (like 'levantarse', 'ducharse'). When you use them for 'I', you change '-se' to 'me' and put it before the verb.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'me'
Mistake: "Saying 'Lavo las manos' when you mean you're washing your own hands."
Correction: You must say 'Me lavo las manos' (I wash my hands). Without 'me', it sounds like you're washing someone else's hands.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Mirror Test
If the action is something you would do while looking in a mirror (getting dressed, brushing teeth, putting on makeup), you almost certainly need to use 'me'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: me
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence means 'He gives the book to me'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'me' and 'mí'?
Great question! They both mean 'me', but are used in different spots. Use 'me' before a verb ('Él me llama'). Use 'mí' after small connecting words called prepositions, like 'a', 'para', or 'de'. For example: 'Este regalo es para mí' (This gift is for me).
Why do people say 'me voy' instead of just 'voy' for 'I'm leaving'?
'Voy' just means 'I go' or 'I'm going' (to a place). Adding 'me' ('me voy') changes the meaning to 'I'm leaving' or 'I'm taking off'. It adds a sense of departure from a place. It's a very common and natural way to say you're leaving.
Can 'me' ever go at the end of a verb?
Yes, it can! When you have a command ('¡Dime!' - Tell me!), an infinitive (the 'to' form of a verb, like 'ayudarme' - to help me), or the '-ing' form ('está mirándome' - he is looking at me), you can attach 'me' directly to the end.