ustedes
/usˈtedes/
In Spanish, ustedes is the pronoun used to say "you (plural)".
ustedes is used to address two or more people directly. While English uses a single word "you" for both one person and many people, Spanish uses specific words like ustedes to clarify that the audience is plural.
Which one should you use?
The form vosotros is used for males and mixed-gender groups and vosotras is used for exclusively female groups. In Latin America, ustedes is used for both formal and informal 'you (plural)'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Vosotros is mainly used in Spain and is not as prevalent in Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun ustedes always takes third-person plural verb conjugations.
How do you pronounce it?
/usˈtedes/
Did you know?
- The word ustedes evolved from vuestras mercedes, a polite phrase meaning 'your graces'.
- If you are in Mexico or Argentina and use vosotros, locals will understand you, but you will sound like a character from a historical novel or a Spanish dub of a movie.
- In many parts of Spain, using ustedes instead of vosotros can make you sound like you are addressing a group of strangers or people of much higher social rank.
Examples in context
- Ustedes son muy amables.You all are very kind.
- Vosotros sois mis amigos.You all are my friends.
- Ustedes son mi familia.You all are my family.
- Vosotros sois los mejores estudiantes.You all are the best students.
- ¿Cómo estáis vosotros?How are you all?
- ¿Ustedes tienen hambre?Are you all hungry?
- Espero que ustedes lleguen pronto.I hope you all arrive soon.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are welcoming some friends to a party.
- Alejandro¡Hola! ¿Ustedes están listos para la fiesta?Hi! Are you all ready for the party?
- LucíaSí, Alejandro, estamos muy emocionados.Yes, Alejandro, we are very excited.
- AlejandroQué bueno, pasen adelante.That is good, please come in.
- LucíaGracias por la invitación.Thank you for the invitation.
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.
