How to Say ‘Say, do you have children?’ in Mexican Spanish
Oiga, ¿usted tiene hijos?
OY-gah oos-TEHD tee-EH-neh EE-hohs
[OY-gah oos-TEHD tee-EH-neh EE-hohs]
🇲🇽 In Mexico: Asking about kids is a normal, friendly question in Mexico, even with someone you've just met. Family is common small talk, not prying.
Phrase Breakdown
Oiga,
OY-gah
Hey / Excuse me (polite)
A polite way to get someone's attention in Mexico. Say it 'OY-gah'.
Oiga, ¿qué hora es?
Excuse me, what time is it?
Words in this phrase
Oiga
[OY-gah]
listen / excuse me
A polite way to get someone’s attention, like 'excuse me' or 'hey, listen.'
Oiga, ¿acepta tarjeta o solo efectivo?
Excuse me, do you accept card or only cash?
¿usted tiene hijos?
oos-TEHD tee-EH-neh EE-hohs
do you have children?
Formal 'you' plus 'tiene' (have). The 'h' in 'hijos' is silent. Let your voice rise at the end.
¿Usted tiene hijos pequeños?
Do you have young children?
Words in this phrase
usted
[oos-TEHD]
you (formal)
“Usted” is the respectful form of “you,” often appropriate with a mother-in-law or father-in-law.
Esto es para usted, señora.
This is for you, ma’am.
tiene
[tee-EH-neh]
you have / he has / she has
Form of tener; in polite speech it can mean you have.
Tiene razón en parte, pero el cobro sigue alto.
You are partly right, but the charge is still high.
hijos
[EE-hohs]
children; sons
Plural of 'hijo'; it means children in general or just sons.
Mis hijos van a la escuela.
My children go to school.
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