What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the conjunction y (and) and the subject pronoun tú (you, informal).
Which one should you use?
While ¿y tú? is used for a single person in an informal setting, ¿y usted? is the formal version used for a single person. When addressing multiple people, the forms change based on the region and level of formality.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Central America, ¿y vos? is often used instead of ¿y tú?
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ¿y tú? is specifically used for a singular, informal "you". In Spain, you should use ¿y vosotros? to ask "and you?" when addressing a group of people informally. In Latin America, use ¿y ustedes? to ask "and you?" when addressing a group of people, regardless of formality.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝ ˈtu/
Did you know?
- The word tú is a direct 'cousin' to the English word 'thou', which was once the standard informal way to say 'you' in English.
- While tú is informal, using usted in the phrase ¿y usted? can sometimes be used to create a psychological distance or express coldness between people who know each other well.
- If you use ¿y tú? in a professional setting in Mexico or Colombia, you might inadvertently signal that you think the other person is your peer or social inferior.
Examples in context
- Yo dormí, ¿y tú?I slept, and you?This is useful for returning a question about a past action.Tatoeba #1535603 by marcelostockle, translation #1176175 by LdjuherTaqvaylit
- Yo muy bien. ¿Y tú?I'm good. And you?This is useful for returning a question about how someone is doing.Tatoeba #1225917 by wallebot, translation #10124041 by DJ_Saidez
- Estoy lista, ¿y tú?I'm ready. And you?This is useful for returning a question about a state of readiness.Tatoeba #2671687 by Shishir, translation #2671683 by Gulo_Luscus
- ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? – Muy bien, ¿y tú?Hi! How are you? – Very well, and you?
- ¿Vas a la fiesta esta noche? – Sí, ¿y tú?Are you going to the party tonight? – Yes, and you?
- ¿Te gusta el nuevo libro? – Sí, ¡y a ti?Do you like the new book? – Yes, and you?
- Buenos días, ¿cómo está? – Muy bien, gracias, ¿y usted?Good morning, how are you? – Very well, thank you, and you?
- ¿Ha viajado mucho? – Sí, ¿y usted?Have you traveled a lot? – Yes, and you?
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are greeting each other at school.
- AlejandroHola, Sofía. Yo estoy feliz, ¿y tú?Hi, Sofía. I am happy, and you?
- SofíaYo también estoy muy feliz.I am also very happy.
- AlejandroQué bueno. ¿Tienes hambre?That's good. Are you hungry?
- SofíaSí, yo tengo hambre. ¿Y tú?Yes, I am hungry. And you?
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (y, tú) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tú, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
