‘You’ en Español

Tú vs. Usted

Well, for most Spanish speakers there are TWO ways to say

“you”!!!

Tú

*At least when you’re speaking to just one person!

Usted&

TúTú is the FAMILIAR form of ‘you’ in Spanish. It is used when talking to:

• Friends• Family• People Your

Own Age• Children• Pets

UstedUsted is the more FORMAL version of ‘you’. It is used when talking to:

• Strangers• People Older

Than You• Authority

Figures• People You’ve

Just Met

In writing, usted is almost always abbreviated.

Ud.*It’s also always capitalized.

Tú vs. Usted

• Let’s look at the singular forms first. Each one has a specific time when it used. If you use the wrong one, it can be offensive to the person with whom you are speaking

Tú vs. Usted

• Tú (singular familiar) is used with people that you are familiar with or someone that you refer to by their first name.

• Usted (Ud.) (singular formal) is used with a person who you should respect, for example a doctor, teacher, elder, or an unknown person.

Tú vs Usted

Tú = you (informal/familiar)

Use “tú” when talking to people with whom you are on a first name basis.

friends

family

small children

people younger than you

pets

Usted (Ud.) = you (formal)

Use “Usted” when talking with people to whom you should show respect.

People in authority

(police, teachers, bosses, etc.)

Strangers

Acquaintances

Adults

Tú o Usted?Your Little

Cousin

Tú

Tú o Usted?el Doctor Morales

Usted

Tú o Usted?la Señora Hidalgo

Usted

Tú o Usted?Tu amigo

Carlos

Tú

Tú o Usted?Pepa

Tú

Tú o Usted?Your Boss

Usted

Tú o Usted?Your

Grandma

Tú

Tú o Usted?Uncle

Enrique

Tú

Tú o Usted?Your Friend’s

Mom

Usted

Tú o Usted?Your Friend’s

Sister

Tú

Tú o Usted?Professor McBoring

Usted