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How to Say ‘Thanks, I made a little effort.’ in Mexican Spanish

Gracias, me esforcé un poquito.

GRAH-syahs meh es-for-SEH oon poh-KEE-toh

[GRAH-syahs meh es-for-SEH oon poh-KEE-toh]

🇲🇽 In Mexico: Thanking and then playing down your effort is the classic gracious response in Mexico. Accepting a compliment flatly can sound a bit vain.

Phrase Breakdown

Gracias,

GRAH-syahs

Thanks,

Accepts a compliment. Sounds like 'GRA-syas'.

Example

Gracias, muy amable.

Thanks, very kind.

Words in this phrase

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.

me esforcé

meh es-for-SEH

I made an effort

A modest way to say you tried. Stress the final 'CÉ'.

Example

Me esforcé mucho.

I made a big effort.

Words in this phrase

[meh]

myself

Reflexive pronoun for 'I'; with llamar it means 'I call myself'.

Example

Me lavo las manos.

I wash my hands.

esforcé

[es-for-SEH]

I made an effort

Past tense of 'esforzarse', to try hard; used with 'me'.

Example

Me esforcé mucho en el examen.

I tried hard on the exam.

un poquito.

oon poh-KEE-toh

a little bit.

Adds modesty. Stress 'QUI': 'po-KEE-to'.

Example

Quiero un poquito de agua.

I want a little water.

Words in this phrase

[oon]

Part of un poco, a set phrase meaning a little.

Example

Con gusto te cuento Un poco de nuestra historia.

Gladly, I’ll tell you a little about our history.

poquito

[poh-KEE-toh]

little bit

Diminutive of 'poco'; softens the statement, sounding modest.

Example

Espera un poquito.

Wait a little bit.

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