“De Dónde Eres?” is Spanish for “Where are you from?” in English. There are times when its usage could mean “Where are you coming from?” It can be used during introductions, language exchanges, social gatherings, and even professional settings.
Someone asking you may also be trying to show off their progress learning Spanish. Whatever the reason for the question, I have gathered 20 of the best responses to “De Dónde Eres?” in English.
I Am From The United States
Since they want to know where you are from, you can always respond to ‘De Dónde Eres?’ with a statement like this of your country of origin. The question is often used in an informal setting so answering with a sentence is good enough. Whatever country you are from, you can just let them know and not divulge any further details.
My Dad is Canadian While my Mom is Australian but I was Raised in the US
If your country of origin is different from where you reside or you have parents who come from different nationalities, your response to ‘De Dónde Eres?’ would be a brief explanation of your mixed heritage. It is possible your parents come from the same country but you were raised in another country. You can always respond with an appropriate sentence in this direction.
I am a Proud Native of Scottsdale, Arizona
Another way you can respond to ‘De Dónde Eres?’ in English is to tell the person what city or region you are from. Probably you are speaking to someone in the United States or they are already aware you are an American, they may want to know the state, city, or region in the United States that you are from. You could say:
- I am from the farthest point in the Southwest of America.
- I currently reside in New York but I was born in Dallas.
I Am From Brazil, But My Family Has Italian Roots
Another way you can respond to “De Dónde Eres?” is to describe a part of your heritage that may be very intriguing. I remember when I was much younger, there was this dude who was an American but somewhere in his lineage, his ancestors were Norwegian. So, you can get the individual asking you “De Dónde Eres?” thinking with the exciting detail of your genealogy.
What Do You Want To Do With That Piece Of Information?
One of the ways you can respond to ‘De Dónde Eres?’ when you are not sure why they are trying to find out that detail and aren’t willing to cooperate immediately is to ask “What do you want to do with that piece of information?”
- Not that I am not gonna answer that, but why do you want to know?
- People don’t go around asking where other people are from. So, why do you wanna know?
I’m From A Little Place Called “None of Your Business,” You Wouldn’t Have Heard Of It.
This is an easy way to deflect from answering “De Dónde Eres?” We tell people “It’s none of your business” when we want them to understand that the question they are asking us is out of place. I think I first saw this response in a movie but cannot recall what movie that is. So when next someone hits you up with ‘De Dónde Eres?’ tell them you are from a little place called ‘none of your business.’
Well, I Am From A Magical Land Called “I Don’t Have To Answer That Question”
Another good response to “De Dónde Eres?” is “Well, I am from a magical land called I don’t have to answer that question.” Just like the previous example, this one gives a cheeky answer which implies you don’t want to answer them. Other ways you phrase this include:
- There’s a place called ‘I ain’t gonna answer that question.’ Yeah, that’s where I am from.
- Want to know where I am from? It is a small place on the East Coast called ‘You are never getting the answer from me.’
The Fact You Are Asking Me That In Spanish Is Even More Annoying
“The fact you are asking me that in Spanish is even more annoying” is my reply when someone asks me something in a foreign language when English is a much easier option. I get that sometimes people want to show that they’re picking up a new language, so you might want to cut them some slack. The options below can be used if you want to go soft on the person asking you:
- Impressive but stick to English, bro.
- I don’t mind you trying to show your progress in Spanish. When you are talking to me, English will do.
Is This An Interview? Where Are The Cameras?
A savage response to “De Dónde Eres?” in English would be “So, we are having an interview? Where are the cameras?” You can begin to look around as though you are searching for the cameras that have come to cover the interview.
I Am From A Small Town Where Nothing Ever Happened
You can sound witty with this response which I pulled from Adele’s Hello. She sang of a small town where nothing ever happened and you can tell the individual asking you ‘De Dónde Eres?’ that that’s where you are from.
You Are Making Progress With Your Spanish Lessons. It Is Cool
“You are making progress with your Spanish lessons. It is cool” is a good way to respond to “De Dónde Eres?” in English. Your questioner would love to hear that they are making progress even though they may want an actual answer. You can sum up your response with an answer if they want one or just appreciate their effort in learning Spanish.
- Keep at it. You’ll soon become a master of Spanish.
- You reminded me a lot about myself when I was learning to speak English. Way to go, bro.
Nigeria, the Giants of Africa
Another way you can respond in English to this question is to tell the person the country you are from with an obvious detail about it. Like in the example, Nigeria is commonly called the Giants of Africa. There are other popular titles for countries, states, and regions that you can use to answer ‘De Dónde Eres?’ in English.
- I am from the Sunshine State. Yeah, Florida my man.
- Brazil, the Land of the Holy Cross.
Can We Just Skip To The Business Of Today?
The person asking you ‘De Dónde Eres?’ could be attempting to know where you were coming from then. In such a scenario, you can respond with ‘Can we just skip to the business of today?’
- Keep your Spanish salutations until after the meeting, would you?
- I don’t have the time to exchange pleasantries with you. Let’s get down to what brought us here.
Take A Wild Guess, Where Do You Think I Come From?
Since the person asking is trying to strike up a conversation, you can lengthen the extent of that attempt by asking them to take a wild guess about where they think you are from. I do this a lot because I am 100% sure many people would fail to answer correctly even if I allow them 10 guesses. It is an exciting response that can be flirty depending on your delivery.
- I won’t just hand it to you. Where do you think I am from?
- I like to think you work hard to get what you want. So, try and guess where I am from.
Do You Mean My Nationality Or You Are Just Curious To Know Where I Am Coming From?
People’s usage of ‘De Dónde Eres?’ can be confusing as it could mean where you are from as in your nationality or where you are coming from as in your previous location.
If you are not sure what the questioner means, you can ask them ‘Do you mean my nationality or you are just curious to know where I am coming from?’ Then, provide the answer based on their clarification.
English, Dude. Speak English
If you have a buddy who’s always trying creative ways to communicate and they hit you up with the “De Dónde Eres?” question, your response can be “English, dude. Speak English.” This way you are politely telling them your preferred language of communication. Here are other options:
- I speak English, my friend.
- Could you please communicate in English?
Fun Fact: I Am From The Only Country In The World Without Rivers
You can also respond to this question with a fun fact about where you are from. It could be something bizarre but it should be true. If you don’t know stuff about where you are from, there are a ton of amazing things you can find online with a simple Google search. I will outline some and if you are lucky you can find your country in the suggestions:
- I am from the country with the tallest men in the world (Netherlands).
- Where I am from, you can never find mosquitoes (Iceland).
- Most people don’t know, but my country is the birthplace of coffee (Brazil).
- If I told you this fact, you could guess right. My country has more kangaroos than people living in it.
- We don’t say ‘cheese’ when we take photos in my country. We say ‘kimchi’ instead (South Korea).
- My country’s national anthem has no words (Spain).
What Gave It Away? My Accent, Right?
Someone may ask you “De Dónde Eres?” when they sense that you are Spanish or Latino and are trying to communicate with you on something they feel you can relate to.
One way you can respond in this context is to ask them “What gave it away? My accent, right?” Even if you aren’t Spanish, you can lead them on so they can tell you what made them assume they can speak to you in Spanish.
- Hahaha. What do you mean? What did you see to make you assume I was Spanish?
- This is awkward. Why do you think I’ll understand that?
That Piece Of Information Has Nothing To Do With The Matter At Hand
Let’s say you are trying to get serious business done or just got to work and your colleague hits you with the “De Dónde Eres?” remark, you can respond with “That piece of information has nothing to do with the matter at hand.”
This implies that you aren’t ready to answer their question or that the urgency of what needs to be done doesn’t afford y’all the time to be dilly-dallying.
- I think we should be focused on the task in front of us. Keep your Spanish pleasantries for later.
- Please, let’s get down to business. I’ll accommodate your Spanish greeting when we are done.
When Did You Start Learning Spanish?
“When did you start learning Spanish?” is a good question to use in response to “De Dónde Eres?.” If the person asking you isn’t a Spaniard or someone from a country that speaks Spanish, you can ask them when they started learning. Your question can also be phrased in any of the following ways:
- I know you aren’t from Spain. Are you from Mexico or any of these Spanish-speaking countries?
- Your Spanish sounds good. Where are you learning from?
Final Thoughts
Now, you won’t be lost for words when someone asks you “De Dónde Eres?” You can choose from any of the discussed responses based on the scenarios explained for their usage and you won’t go wrong. Cheers to better conversations.
