Talking About Customs in Spanish: 'En mi país, nosotros...'
Learn to describe customs from your country in Spanish and ask others about theirs using 'En mi país, nosotros...' and follow-up questions.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn to talk about customs in your country using the phrase 'En mi país, nosotros...' (In my country, we...). You will also learn to ask others about their customs. This is different from discussing social issues because we focus on everyday cultural norms like greetings, meals, and celebrations. You will practice using the present tense and direct object pronouns. By the end, you will be able to share and ask about customs naturally in Spanish.
By the end, you can…
- describe at least three customs from my country using 'En mi país, nosotros...'
- ask someone about customs in their country using questions like '¿Qué se hace en tu país...?'
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
En mi país, nosotros saludamos con un beso en la mejilla.
In my country, we greet with a kiss on the cheek.
en mee pah-EES, noh-SOH-trohs sah-LOO-dah-mohs kohn oon BEH-soh en lah meh-KHEE-yah
Use this to describe a common greeting custom. In some Latin American countries, a handshake is more common among men.
¿Qué se hace en tu país para celebrar un cumpleaños?
What is done in your country to celebrate a birthday?
keh seh AH-seh en too pah-EES pah-rah seh-leh-BRAHR oon koom-pleh-AH-nyohs
This is a polite way to ask about customs. 'Se hace' is an impersonal construction meaning 'one does' or 'is done'.
Nosotros acostumbramos a comer tarde, como a las dos de la tarde.
We usually eat late, around two in the afternoon.
noh-SOH-trohs ah-kohs-TOOM-brah-mohs ah koh-MEHR TAR-deh, KOH-moh ah lahs dohs deh lah TAR-deh
Use 'acostumbrar a' to talk about habitual actions. Note that in some countries, lunch is the main meal and is eaten later.
En mi país, es común quitarse los zapatos antes de entrar a una casa.
In my country, it is common to take off your shoes before entering a house.
en mee pah-EES, ehs KOH-moon kee-TAR-seh lohs sah-PAH-tohs AHN-tehs deh en-TRAHR ah OO-nah KAH-sah
This describes a common custom in many Latin American homes. Use 'es común' to say something is common.
¿Cómo se saluda la gente en tu país cuando se ve por primera vez?
How do people greet each other in your country when they see each other for the first time?
KOH-moh seh sah-LOO-dah lah KHEN-teh en too pah-EES KWAHN-doh seh veh pohr pree-MEH-rah VES
This question asks about greeting customs. 'Se saluda' is impersonal. 'La gente' is singular but means 'people'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To describe customs, use 'En mi país, nosotros + verb in present tense + ...'. For example: 'En mi país, nosotros comemos tamales en Navidad.' (In my country, we eat tamales at Christmas.) You can also use 'se + verb' in third person to be more general: 'En mi país, se comen tamales en Navidad.' (In my country, tamales are eaten at Christmas.) The 'se' construction is useful when you don't want to specify who does the action. To ask about customs, use '¿Qué se hace en tu país...?' or '¿Cómo se...?' For example: '¿Cómo se celebra la independencia en tu país?' (How is independence celebrated in your country?)
When to use it
Use these patterns in casual conversations with friends, classmates, or colleagues from other countries. They are appropriate in both formal and informal settings, but 'tú' is more common in informal contexts. For example, you might say to a new friend: 'En mi país, nosotros tomamos mate todos los días. ¿Qué se toma en tu país?' (In my country, we drink mate every day. What is drunk in your country?) Be careful: in some regions, 'nosotros' might be replaced by 'uno' or 'la gente' to avoid speaking for everyone. Also, customs vary within countries, so it's fine to say 'En mi región...' (In my region...) if you want to be more specific.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Oye, ¿qué se hace en tu país para celebrar el Año Nuevo?
Hey, what is done in your country to celebrate New Year?OH-yeh, keh seh AH-seh en too pah-EES pah-rah seh-leh-BRAHR el AH-nyoh NWEH-vohEn mi país, nosotros comemos doce uvas a la medianoche y nos abrazamos. ¿Y en el tuyo?
In my country, we eat twelve grapes at midnight and hug each other. And in yours?en mee pah-EES, noh-SOH-trohs koh-MEH-mohs DOH-seh OO-vahs ah lah meh-dee-ah-NOH-cheh ee nohs ah-BRAH-sah-mohs. ee en el TOO-yohEn el mío, hacemos una cena grande con la familia y luego vemos fuegos artificiales.
In mine, we have a big dinner with the family and then we watch fireworks.en el MEE-oh, ah-SEH-mohs OO-nah SEH-nah GRAHN-deh kohn lah fah-MEE-lee-ah ee LWEH-goh VEH-mohs FWEH-gohs ar-tee-fee-SYAH-lehs¡Qué interesante! ¿Y se usa ropa especial?
How interesting! And is special clothing worn?keh een-teh-reh-SAHN-teh! ee seh OO-sah ROH-pah es-peh-SYAHLA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, physical contact during greetings is common, but the specific gesture varies. For example, in Argentina and Uruguay, a single kiss on the cheek is standard between women and between men and women; in Mexico, a handshake or a hug may be more common among men. When asking about customs, avoid generalizations like 'En tu país, todos...' because customs can differ by region, generation, and family. It's better to ask '¿Qué se acostumbra en tu país?' (What is customary in your country?) to sound respectful and open.
One thing to watch for
Using 'nosotros' to describe customs when you mean people in general, which can sound like you are speaking for everyone.
Try this instead: Use the impersonal 'se' construction instead. For example, instead of 'En mi país, nosotros comemos tamales en Navidad' (which implies everyone does it), say 'En mi país, se comen tamales en Navidad' (In my country, tamales are eaten at Christmas). This is more accurate because not everyone may follow the same custom.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'In my country, we greet with a handshake' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
En mi país, nosotros saludamos con un apretón de manos.
This uses the pattern 'En mi país, nosotros + verb + ...'. 'Saludamos' is the first person plural of 'saludar'. You could also say 'En mi país, se saluda con un apretón de manos' using the impersonal 'se'.
2What is a polite way to ask 'What is done in your country on Independence Day?'
Show a sample answer
¿Qué se hace en tu país el Día de la Independencia?
This uses '¿Qué se hace...?' which is an impersonal question. You could also ask '¿Cómo se celebra...?' (How is it celebrated?). Both are polite and common.
3Correct this sentence if it's too general: 'En mi país, todos comen pizza los viernes.'
Show a sample answer
En mi país, se come pizza los viernes.
Using 'todos' (everyone) is a generalization. The impersonal 'se come' is more accurate. Alternatively, you could say 'En mi país, muchas personas comen pizza los viernes' (In my country, many people eat pizza on Fridays).
Use 'En mi país, nosotros...' to share your customs, but switch to 'se + verb' for general statements. Ask others with '¿Qué se hace en tu país...?' to keep the conversation respectful and open.
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