‘You’ en Español

Tú vs. Usted

Remember…We,ve already seen a few ways to refer to

people in Spanish!!

He→ Él

She → Ella

Well, for most Spanish speakers there are TWO ways to say

“you”!!!

Tú

*At least when you’re speaking to just one person!

Usted&

TúTú is the FAMILIAR form of ‘you’ in Spanish. It is used when talking to:

• Friends• Family• People Your

Own Age• Children• Pets

UstedUsted is the more FORMAL version of ‘you’. It is used when talking to:

• Strangers• People Older

Than You• Authority

Figures• People You’ve

Just Met

In writing, usted is almost always abbreviated.

Ud.*It’s also always capitalized.

Tú vs. Ud.• ‘Rules’ for using Tú & Ud. can have

variations from country to country.• In most countries God is addressed as ‘Tú’

in prayer.• Tú can be used to express lack of respect

when speaking to someone you don’t know.

Tú vs. Ud.• Likewise, usted can be used to show

contempt for someone you know very well.

(i.e. You, sir, are an idiot!)• If you are uncertain which form to use, it is

usually better to use usted until instructed otherwise.

• Spanish even has a verb, tutear, meaning to address someone using the tú form!

Tú o Usted?Your Little

Cousin

Tú

Tú o Usted?el Doctor Morales

Usted

Tú o Usted?la Señora Hidalgo

Usted

Tú o Usted?Tu amigo

Carlos

Tú

Tú o Usted?Pepa

Tú

Tú o Usted?Your Boss

Usted

Tú o Usted?Your

Grandma

Tú

Tú o Usted?Uncle

Enrique

Tú

Tú o Usted?Your Friend’s

Mom

Usted

Tú o Usted?Your Friend’s

Sister

Tú

Tú o Usted?Professor McBoring

Usted