ustedes
everywhere
The plural "you" is ustedes in all Spanish-speaking countries. In Spain people also use vosotros for a group of friends or family. It is also called vosotras.
Meaning: you, addressing more than one person (pronoun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| ustedes | everywhere |
| vosotros | informal, Spain |
| vosotras | informal, Spain, feminine |
In Latin America ustedes works for any group, formal or friendly. In Spain ustedes is the formal plural and vosotros the informal one.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Speakers in the Canary Islands and Latin America do not use vosotros in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ustedes takes the third person plural verb, so it is ustedes hablan. Vosotros takes its own form, as in vosotros habláis.
Did you know?
- The form vosotros is rare in Latin America, which is why the same grammar chart looks different in Madrid and in Mexico City.
Examples in context
- Ustedes son muy amables.You are all very kind.
- ¿Vosotros venís a la fiesta?Are you coming to the party?
- Ustedes pueden pasar.You can come in.
Example conversation
A waiter speaks to a group of tourists in Mexico.
- Mesero¿Ustedes quieren ver el menú?Do you want to see the menu?
- TuristaSí, por favor.Yes, please.
- MeseroCon gusto. Ustedes pueden sentarse aquí.Gladly. You can sit here.
