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How to Say ‘Hey, thanks for asking first, not everyone does.’ in Mexican Spanish

Oye, gracias por preguntar primero, no todos lo hacen.

OH-yeh GRAH-syahs pohr preh-goon-TAR pree-MEHR-oh noh TOH-dohs loh AH-sehn

[OH-yeh GRAH-syahs pohr preh-goon-TAR pree-MEHR-oh noh TOH-dohs loh AH-sehn]

🇲🇽 In Mexico: oye "hey" is a friendly attention-getter, not rude. The whole line is real appreciation, a sign the respectful approach worked.

Phrase Breakdown

Oye, gracias

OH-yeh GRAH-syahs

Hey, thanks

'Oye' is a friendly way to get attention, very common in Mexico. Pronounce it 'O-ye'.

Example

Oye, gracias por la ayuda.

Hey, thanks for the help.

Words in this phrase

Oye

[OH-yeh]

Hey

An expression to attract someone's attention.

Example

Oye, ¿escuchaste lo que pasó?

Hey, did you hear what happened?

gracias

[GRAH-syahs]

thanks

A polite expression of gratitude, usually used in the plural in Spanish.

Example

Te doy "gracias" por compartir tus consejos de carrera.

I give you thanks for sharing your career advice.

por preguntar primero,

pohr preh-goon-TAR pree-MEHR-oh

for asking first,

'Por' plus an infinitive gives the reason for thanking someone. Tap the 'r' lightly in 'preguntar' and 'primero'.

Example

Gracias por preguntar primero.

Thanks for asking first.

Words in this phrase

por

[pohr]

for

Common preposition used to indicate reason, motive, or thanks.

Example

Te escribo "Por" tu apoyo durante la feria de empleo.

I’m writing to you for your support during the job fair.

preguntar

[preh-goon-TAR]

to ask

Verb used when asking a question or requesting information.

Example

Preguntar por el estacionamiento es buena idea antes de llegar.

Asking about parking is a good idea before arriving.

primero

[pree-MEHR-oh]

First

Preceding all others in time, order, or importance.

Example

Primero, vamos a planear la estrategia.

First, let's plan the strategy.

no todos lo hacen.

noh TOH-dohs loh AH-sehn

not everyone does it.

A compliment that means most people don't bother. The 'h' in 'hacen' is silent.

Example

Es amable, no todos lo hacen.

It's kind, not everyone does it.

Words in this phrase

[noh]

no / not

Negates the verb to show something is not working.

Example

No funciona el calentador del agua.

The water heater is not working.

todos

[TOH-dohs]

everyone / all

Refers to all the people in a group.

Example

Todos celebraron la jugada.

Everyone celebrated the play.

[loh]

Direct object pronoun for an object or a situation.

Example

Lo vi ayer.

I saw it yesterday.

hacen

[AH-sehn]

they do

Third person plural of 'hacer'.

Example

Ellos lo hacen bien.

They do it well.

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