How to Say Where Are You From in Spanish

Have you ever asked someone, “¿De dónde eres?”… and they just stared at you like you spoke Martian?

Or worse — you said “¿Dónde vives?”… and they answered: “En mi apartamento.”

You weren’t rude.
You weren’t wrong.
You just didn’t know the real question behind the words.

It’s the first step to a friendship.
A family reunion.
A shared laugh over tamales or empanadas.
And if you say it wrong?
You’ll get a polite smile… and a switch to English.

Here’s how to say it right — like a native — in 20 seconds of reading.

✅ The Only Two Ways to Say It (And Which One to Use)

💡 Critical tip:
In Argentina and Uruguay, people say “sos” instead of “eres.”
If you say “¿De dónde eres?” in Buenos Aires?
They’ll think you’re a tourist.
Say “¿De dónde sos?” — and they’ll immediately say:
“¡Ah, vos también hablás así! ¡Qué bueno!”

❌ The #1 Mistake 90% of Learners Make

“¿Dónde vives?” — Where do you live?

This is not the same as “Where are you from?”

• ✅ “¿De dónde eres?” → Where is your home? Where are your roots?
• ❌ “¿Dónde vives?” → Where’s your apartment? (They’ll answer: “En la calle 5”)

Never use this unless you’re asking for an address.How to Say Where Are You From in Spanish

✅ The Only Two Ways to Say It (And Which One to Use)

💡 Critical tip:
In Argentina and Uruguay, people say “sos” instead of “eres.”
If you say “¿De dónde eres?” in Buenos Aires?
They’ll think you’re a tourist.
Say “¿De dónde sos?” — and they’ll immediately say:
“¡Ah, vos también hablás así! ¡Qué bueno!”

❌ The #1 Mistake 90% of Learners Make

“¿Dónde vives?” — Where do you live?

This is not the same as “Where are you from?”

• ✅ “¿De dónde eres?” → Where is your home? Where are your roots?
• ❌ “¿Dónde vives?” → Where’s your apartment? (They’ll answer: “En la calle 5”)

Never use this unless you’re asking for an address.

🌍 The Hidden Cultural Rule: “Where Are You From?” = “Tell Me Your Story”

In Spain, Mexico, or Colombia, when someone asks “¿De dónde eres?”, they’re not checking a box.

They’re inviting you in.

So don’t just say:

“México.”

Say:

“Soy de Guadalajara, en México.”
“Soy de Colombia, pero nací en Miami.”
“Vengo de un pueblo pequeño, pero ahora vivo en Madrid.”

Adding your city or story?
That’s what turns a question into a conversation.

🌟 “Soy de Perú, pero mi abuela era de Bolivia. Por eso hablo con acento raro.”
(I’m from Peru, but my grandma was from Bolivia. That’s why I have a weird accent.)
→ This? This is what makes people say: “¡Cuéntame más!”

🗣️ How to Answer Like a Native (Not a Robot)

✅ Best answer:
“Soy de Colombia, pero ahora vivo en España.”
→ This is what 8 out of 10 natives say.
→ It answers the question… and opens the door to “¿Y cómo te fue al mudarte?”

🇪🇸🇲🇽🇦🇷 Regional Differences — Don’t Get Caught Off Guard!