This is one of the most common and useful questions in any conversation. It opens the door to cultural exchange, travel stories, and deeper connection.
Lets look at Where Are You From? in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, French
Spanish
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: ¿De dónde eres?
- English Translation: Where are you from?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- IPA Pronunciation: /de ˈdon.de ˈe.ɾes/
2. Example Sentence
- ¿De dónde eres? Soy de México.
- Where are you from? I’m from Mexico.
Eres is the informal second-person singular of the verb ser (to be).
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
To ask someone formally, use ¿De dónde es usted? The verb changes to es (third-person singular). Use de (from) + country or city name in answers.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Write or say: ¿De dónde eres? and practice answering with your city and country.
Italian
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: Di dove sei?
- English Translation: Where are you from?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- IPA Pronunciation: /di ˈdo.ve sɛi/
2. Example Sentence
- Di dove sei? Sono di Roma.
- Where are you from? I’m from Rome.
Sei is the informal second-person singular of essere (to be).
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
Use Di dov’è? in formal settings. Italians often respond with Sono di + [city] or Vengo da + [country] when clarifying.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Practice saying: Di dove sei? aloud, then answer with different cities or countries.
Portuguese
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: De onde você é?
- English Translation: Where are you from?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- IPA Pronunciation: /dʒi ˈõ.dʒi voˈse ɛ/ (Brazilian)
2. Example Sentence
- De onde você é? Sou do Brasil.
- Where are you from? I’m from Brazil.
Você is the common “you” in Brazil. Use é (you are) from the verb ser.
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
In Portugal, you may hear Donde és tu? (informal) or De onde é o senhor / a senhora? for formality. Use sou de or sou do/da depending on the gender of the country name.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Ask: De onde você é? and answer for yourself, a friend, or a celebrity.
German
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: Woher kommst du?
- English Translation: Where are you from?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- IPA Pronunciation: /voˈheːɐ̯ kɔmst du/
2. Example Sentence
- Woher kommst du? Ich komme aus Deutschland.
- Where are you from? I come from Germany.
Kommst is from the verb kommen (to come), informal second-person.
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
Use Woher kommen Sie? for formal situations. German commonly uses aus + country name for answers.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Say both informal and formal versions of the question and practice replying with 3 different countries.
French
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: Tu viens d’où ?
- English Translation: Where are you from?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- IPA Pronunciation: /ty vjɛ̃ du/
2. Example Sentence
- Tu viens d’où ? Je viens de Paris.
- Where are you from? I come from Paris.
Viens is the second-person singular of venir (to come). For formal French, use D’où venez-vous ?
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
In casual French, Tu viens d’où ? is common. In formal or written contexts, use D’où venez-vous ? and answer with Je viens de + place.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Choose three cities or countries and say: Je viens de… Practice with both formal and informal question versions.
Multilingual Bonus
| Language | Phrase | IPA Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | ¿De dónde eres? | /de ˈdon.de ˈe.ɾes/ |
| Italian | Di dove sei? | /di ˈdo.ve sɛi/ |
| Portuguese | De onde você é? | /dʒi ˈõ.dʒi voˈse ɛ/ |
| German | Woher kommst du? | /voˈheːɐ̯ kɔmst du/ |
| French | Tu viens d’où ? | /ty vjɛ̃ du/ |