Which one should you use?
In Latin American Spanish, ustedes is used for both formal and informal groups. In contrast, in Spain, vosotros is the specific informal way to address a group of friends or acquaintances.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal second person plural pronoun vosotros is used to address a group of friends or acquaintances. In Argentina, the slang term pibes is an informal expression used to address a group of guys. Additionally, the informal expression muchachos is used in some specific regions to address a group of boys.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ustedes is grammatically treated as the third-person plural. The verb following ustedes must always be in the third-person plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/usˈtedes/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use vosotros in Latin American countries, where ustedes is the standard for all social levels.
When do people say it?
If you are addressing a group of friends informally, you might use the word chicos (meaning "guys") in both Spain and Latin America. To address a group formally, you can use señores.
Did you know?
- The word ustedes is actually a contraction of an older, highly formal expression, 'vuestra merced', which meant 'your mercy'.
- The word muchachos can be used to address a group of 'guys' even if the people in the group are elderly adults, often as a way to keep the mood lighthearted.
- While 'you guys' in English adds a gendered sense of 'guys', the Spanish ustedes is completely gender-neutral and can refer to any group.
Examples in context
- ¿Ustedes vieron a Tom?Have you guys seen Tom?This example shows how to use ustedes to ask if a group has seen someone.Tatoeba #3039359 by marcelostockle, translation #3024404 by CK
- ¿En qué andan ustedes?What have you guys been up to?This example demonstrates using ustedes to ask a group what they have been up to.Tatoeba #7918114 by fpp, translation #3573753 by CK
- Estoy bien, ¿y ustedes?I'm fine. How about you guys?This example shows how to use ustedes when responding to a greeting or inquiry.Tatoeba #9816982 by mialiesperantistas, translation #9741482 by DJ_Saidez
- "Ustedes" es un grupo muy talentoso."You guys" are a very talented group.
- Vosotros sois los mejores amigos que podría tener.You guys are the best friends I could have.
- ¡Hola chicos! ¿Cómo están hoy?Hi guys! How are you all today?
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking to a group of friends at a party.
- Daniel¿Ustedes quieren bailar?Do you guys want to dance?
- MaríaSí, nosotros sí.Yes, we do.
- Daniel¡Qué bueno que ustedes vengan!It is so good that you guys came!
- MaríaGracias, Daniel.Thanks, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ustedes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ustedes, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
