Titles and Courtesy

When talking to a person directly with a title and last name, you use a title to show courtesy and respect: señor, señora, señorita, profesor, profesora, doctor, doctora, etc. When you are talking about someone, the titles are preceded by a definite article: el, la, los, las.

Mucho gusto, Señor Pena

BUT

El Señor Pena es mi profesor.

The titles Don and Doña can be used with a person’s 1st name to show respect when talking to someone you know well.

Don Miguel is my neighbor.

Don Miguel es mi vecino

When the definite article el follows the words a or de the two words are contracted:

a + el = al de + el = del

Elena and Felipe, let me introduce you (present you to) Señor Pena.

Elena y Felipe les presento al Señor Pena.

Es la clase del Señor Kishbaugh.