yo
/yo/
📝 In Action
Yo soy de Canadá.
A1I am from Canada.
Yo hablo un poco de español.
A1I speak a little Spanish.
¿Quién quiere pizza? ¡Yo!
A1Who wants pizza? I do!
Yo no sé la respuesta.
A2I don't know the answer.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Optional' Yo
In Spanish, the verb ending usually tells you who is doing the action. Because 'hablo' (I speak) can only be for 'yo', you can often leave 'yo' out. 'Hablo español' means the same as 'Yo hablo español'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'I like'...
Mistake: "When talking about what you like, you might want to say 'Yo gusto...'."
Correction: The correct way is 'Me gusta...'. To add emphasis, you say 'A mí me gusta...', using 'mí' instead of 'yo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
When Should You Use 'Yo'?
Even though you can often drop it, you should use 'yo' for emphasis, for contrast, or to make things extra clear. Example: 'Ella es alta, pero yo soy bajo.' (She is tall, but I am short.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: yo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'yo' for emphasis to say 'I like coffee'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Spanish speakers drop 'yo' so often?
They drop it because the verb ending already tells you who is doing the action. For example, in 'hablo', the '-o' ending is a clear signal for 'I'. It's like a built-in 'yo'! So, adding 'yo' is often unnecessary unless you want to add emphasis.
Is there a difference between 'yo' and 'mí'?
Yes, they both mean 'I' or 'me', but are used in different situations. Use 'yo' when 'I' am the one doing the verb (e.g., 'Yo corro' - 'I run'). Use 'mí' after small connecting words like 'a', 'para', or 'de' (e.g., 'Este regalo es para mí' - 'This gift is for me').