tū
The English word 'you' is expressed in Latin using either tū or vōs.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| tū | |
| vōs | plural |
In Latin, these words serve as subject pronouns to identify the person or people being addressed.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, where the word 'you' is used for both one person and multiple people, Latin distinguishes between the singular and the plural. Use tū when addressing only one person and vōs when addressing more than one person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tū is the singular form used when addressing one person. The form vōs is the plural form used when addressing more than one person.
Did you know?
- Classical Latin had no polite 'you'. Romans said tū even to the emperor. Using vōs for one person as a mark of respect came much later.
- In many Latin sentences, the word for 'you' is omitted entirely because the verb ending already tells the listener exactly who is being addressed.
Examples in context
- Sciō vōs cōnātōs esse.I know that you tried.This sentence shows how to use vōs to refer to a group of people who attempted something.Tatoeba #11108102 by alexmarcelo, translation #7521888 by CK
- Marīa, cūr tū lacrimās?Mary, why are you crying?This sentence shows how to use tū to address a single person directly.Tatoeba #5062088 by Wezel, translation #5073171 by CarpeLanam
- Sciō vōs mentītās esse.I know that you lied.This sentence shows how to use vōs to refer to a group of people who lied.Tatoeba #11108090 by alexmarcelo, translation #6440431 by CK
- Quid tu cogitas facere?What are you thinking of doing?
- Ubi vos itis hodie?Where are you guys going today?
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Lucia are discussing who will carry the books.
- MarcusTūne librōs portās?Are you carrying the books?
- LuciaNon, ego nihil portō.No, I am carrying nothing.
- MarcusTum tū mē iuvā.Then you help me.
- LuciaLibenter tē iuvō, Marce.I gladly help you, Marcus.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
