Which one should you use?
vosotros is the informal plural form of 'you', used when addressing a group of friends, family or peers. It is contrasted with ustedes, which is used for the plural 'you' in formal situations or as the standard plural 'you' in Latin American Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The use of vosotros to mean 'ye' or 'you all' is characteristic of Peninsular Spanish in Spain, whereas it is largely absent in Latin American Spanish. In Spain, it is common to use vosotros/vosotras when addressing a group of people informally.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender of the group being addressed: vosotros is used for a group of males or a mixed-gender group, while vosotras is used when referring exclusively to a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/boˈsotɾos/
Did you know?
- If you use vosotros while traveling in Latin America, you will likely sound like you are quoting a medieval poem or a religious text.
- The word vosotros is literally a combination of 'you' and 'others', mirroring the structure of the French 'vous autres'.
- In certain highly formal or legal contexts in Spain, vosotros is avoided in favor of ustedes to maintain a professional distance from a group.
Examples in context
- Oh vosotros los que entráis, abandonad toda esperanza.All hope abandon, ye who enter in.This sentence uses the form vosotros.Tatoeba #1387731 by Balamax, translation #1387730 by Balamax
- ¿Está usted cansado/a?Are you tired?
- Estimado señor Rodriguez,Dear Mr. Rodriguez,
- ¿Estáis cansados?Are you all tired?
- Vosotros tenéis mucha suerte.You all are very lucky.
- ¿Qué queréis comer vosotros?What do you all want to eat?
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are greeting a group of friends at a park.
- Daniel¡Hola! ¿Cómo estáis vosotros?Hello! How are you all?
- LucíaEstamos muy bien, gracias.We are very well, thanks.
- DanielMe alegro de veros.I am happy to see you all.
- Lucía¡Nosotros también!Us too!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vosotros, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vosotros, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
