Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| usted | /usˈted/ | polite |
| tú | /ˈtu/ | familiar |
| vos | /ˈbos/ | familiar |
These words are subject pronouns used to address the person you are speaking to. They are all singular, meaning they are used only when addressing one person. If you are addressing more than one person, you must use plural forms such as ustedes or vosotros.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these forms depends on your relationship with the person. Use tú or vos for friends, family and peers. Use usted to show respect or to maintain distance when speaking to strangers, elders or superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tú and vos are informal, while usted is the polite and formal way to say 'you'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While tú and vos are used for informal address, usted is unique because it uses the third-person singular verb conjugation, the same as the verbs for 'he' or 'she'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtu/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes forget to switch between tú and usted depending on the social context, which can result in being accidentally too informal or too stiff.
Did you know?
- The formal 'you' known as usted actually descends from the phrase vuestra merced, which literally meant 'your mercy'.
Examples in context
- ¿Y tú qué tal?And you, how are you?This example shows how to use tú to ask someone how they are doing.Tatoeba #618944 by Shishir, translation #388264 by Dorenda
- Si yo fuera tú.If I were you.This example demonstrates the use of tú in a conditional phrase.Tatoeba #754014 by Shishir, translation #10121564 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿No eres tú Tom?Aren't you Tom?This example uses tú to confirm someone's identity.Tatoeba #797225 by Shishir, translation #37392 by CK
- ¿Cómo está usted?How are you?
- Usted es inteligente.You are smart.
- ¿Quieres ir al cine?Do you want to go to the movies?
- Tú hablas español.You speak Spanish.
- Usted habla español.You speak Spanish.
- 1762 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about their weekend plans.
- Sofía¿Tú vas a ir a la fiesta?Are you going to the party?
- AlejandroSí, yo voy. ¿Y tú?Yes, I am going. And you?
- SofíaTú sabes que yo no puedo ir.You know that I cannot go.
- AlejandroEs verdad, lo olvidé.That's true, I forgot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries usted, tú, vos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tú, usted, vos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
