tu
informal, singular
European Portuguese uses tu for "you" with friends, family and children. For polite address it prefers o senhor and a senhora, or just the verb in the third person. It is also called você.
Meaning: second person pronoun (pronoun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| tu | informal, singular |
| o senhor | formal, male |
| a senhora | formal, female |
| você | varies, Portugal |
A polite question to a stranger is Quer um café?, with no pronoun. To an older man you might say O senhor quer um café?
Which one should you use?
Você exists in Portugal, but it can sound distant or even rude, so many speakers avoid it. In Brazil it is the ordinary word for "you".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural is vocês for a group of friends. A mixed group can also be addressed with os senhores or by name in formal speech.
Did you know?
- Portuguese people often use a title and a name, like Dona Fátima or Senhor Silva, instead of any word for "you".
Examples in context
- Tu queres vir connosco?Do you want to come with us?
- O senhor quer sentar-se?Would you like to sit down, sir?
- A senhora é de Lisboa?Are you from Lisbon, madam?
Example conversation
Beatriz asks an older neighbor, Dona Fátima, a question, then turns to her friend Rui.
- BeatrizDona Fátima, a senhora precisa de ajuda?Dona Fátima, do you need help?
- Dona FátimaNão, obrigada, querida.No, thank you, dear.
- BeatrizRui, tu vens jantar?Rui, are you coming to dinner?
