{"id":144763,"date":"2023-07-23T10:27:49","date_gmt":"2023-07-23T14:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/tu-and-usted\/"},"modified":"2024-11-25T19:30:13","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T00:30:13","slug":"tu-and-usted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/tu-and-usted\/","title":{"rendered":"T\u00fa vs. Usted in Spanish: The Difference and How to Use Each One"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Spanish,\u00a0t\u00fa<\/em> is the informal way to say “you” and\u00a0usted<\/em> is the formal way.<\/p>\n

Knowing when and how to use them can be challenging in the beginning. But in this post, you’ll learn the difference between t\u00fa<\/em> vs. usted,<\/em> when to use them and how to conjugate their verb forms.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What’s the Difference Between T\u00fa<\/em> vs. U<\/em>sted?<\/em><\/h2>\n

In Spanish, we use t\u00fa<\/em> and usted<\/em>\u00a0to refer to a person we’re talking to (these are the singular second-person subject pronouns<\/a>). They both mean “you.”<\/p>\n

T\u00fa<\/em> is used in an informal context when talking to a friend or someone you know personally. Usted<\/em> is the formal version and is used to show respect, usually when talking to someone older or someone you don’t know very well.<\/p>\n

How to Conjugate Verbs in the T\u00fa<\/em> and\u00a0Usted<\/em> Forms<\/h2>\n

Here are the present simple tense conjugations for t\u00fa<\/em> and usted<\/em> with a few common Spanish verbs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish Verb<\/th>T\u00fa<\/em><\/th>Usted<\/em> <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ser <\/a>\n <\/em> (to be)<\/td> Eres <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td> Es <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estar <\/a>\n <\/em> (to be)<\/td> Est\u00e1s <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td> Est\u00e1 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vivir <\/a>\n <\/em> (to live)<\/td> Vives <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td> Vive <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tener <\/a>\n <\/em> (to have)<\/td> Tienes <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td> Tiene <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ba\u00f1arse <\/a>\n <\/em> (to bathe\/to swim)<\/td> Te ba\u00f1as <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td> Se ba\u00f1a <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Object Pronouns for\u00a0T\u00fa<\/em> and\u00a0Usted<\/em><\/h2>\n

Each subject pronoun also has a different corresponding object pronoun<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For t\u00fa<\/em>, the object pronoun is te <\/em>and for u<\/em>sted <\/em>it’s le.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

For example:<\/p>\n

Te<\/strong> llamo ma\u00f1ana.<\/em> (I’ll call you tomorrow.)<\/p>\n

Le<\/strong> dije que llegar\u00eda tarde. <\/em>(I told you that I would arrive late.)<\/p>\n

When to Use T<\/em>\u00fa<\/em><\/h2>\n

Children and animals<\/h3>\n

No matter the situation, if you’re addressing children or, for some reason, speaking Spanish with animals<\/a>, you should use the t\u00fa <\/em>form.<\/p>\n

Ya pas\u00f3 la hora de irte<\/strong> a la cama. <\/span><\/em>Ve a cepillarte<\/strong> los dientes.<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/em>(It’s past your bedtime. Go brush your teeth.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bfTienes<\/strong> hambre? Ya te<\/strong> doy la comida.
\n<\/em>(Are you hungry? I’ll give you food now\/soon.)<\/p>\n

Young people<\/h3>\n

If you’re a teenager or in your 20s, use t\u00fa <\/em>in pretty much any situation where you’re speaking to people your age.<\/p>\n

Hola amigo, \u00bfquieres<\/strong> ir al cine m\u00e1s tarde?<\/em>
\n(Hey friend\/bud, do you want to go to the movie theater later?)<\/p>\n

Cierto, eres<\/strong> el novio de Lily. \u00bfC\u00f3mo te llamas<\/strong>?
\n<\/em>(Right, you’re Lily’s boyfriend. What’s your name?)<\/p>\n

Friends and family<\/h3>\n

People who you’re close to or are social with are addressed with t\u00fa<\/em>. It can be a bit more delicate for people who you’ve just been introduced to, friends of friends and that sort of thing. If you’re not sure, just ask.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Necesitamos ponernos al d\u00eda. \u00bfQuieres<\/strong> tomar un caf\u00e9 conmigo?<\/em>
\n(We need to catch up. Do you want to have a coffee with me?)<\/p>\n

\u00a1Primo! \u00a1No te<\/strong> he visto en a\u00f1os!<\/em>
\n(Cousin! I haven’t seen you in years!)<\/p>\n

Work colleagues you know well<\/h3>\n

This one depends strongly on company culture. In arts organizations or non-profits, you’re more likely to use t\u00fa<\/em> with everyone, whereas in a bank, usted <\/em>is more common.<\/p>\n

\u00bfPuedes<\/strong> ayudarme a organizar la inauguraci\u00f3n de la galer\u00eda?<\/em>
\n(C<\/span>an you help me organize the gallery opening?)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u00bfPuedo llamarte<\/strong>? Tenemos que hablar sobre la recaudaci\u00f3n de fondos.
\n<\/span><\/em>(Can I call you? We need to talk about the fundraiser.)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Insults<\/h3>\n

Not to encourage insulting people, but if you’re going to do it, it would be strange to use usted <\/em>as it’s a sign of respect.<\/p>\n

\u00bfQu\u00e9 te<\/strong> pasa? \u00bfNunca aprendiste<\/strong> a conducir?<\/em>
\n(What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you ever learn to drive?)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a1C\u00e1llate<\/strong>! Estoy tratando de ver la pelicula.
\n<\/em>(Shut up! I’m trying to watch the movie.)<\/p>\n

When to Use U<\/em>sted<\/em><\/h2>\n

Older people<\/h3>\n

If you’re a child or a teenager addressing an adult, use\u00a0usted <\/em>until you’ve been invited to do otherwise. Adults will probably address you with t\u00fa<\/em>, but it’s better to show respect and use the more formal form.<\/p>\n

This is also true if you’re an adult addressing an elderly person or someone who’s much older than you.<\/p>\n

Hola se\u00f1ora Cervantes, \u00bfc\u00f3mo est\u00e1<\/strong> hoy?<\/em>
\n(Hi Mrs. Cervantes, how are you today?)<\/p>\n

Profe, \u00bfde d\u00f3nde es<\/strong> usted?
\n<\/em>(Teacher, where are you from?)<\/p>\n

Bureaucratic situations<\/h3>\n

In general, you should use usted<\/em> in all legal, bureaucratic and administrative situations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00bfPodr\u00eda<\/strong> decirme d\u00f3nde se realizan las entrevistas para la visa?\u00a0
\n<\/span><\/em>(C<\/span>ould you tell me where the visa interviews are conducted?)<\/span><\/p>\n

Por favor, av\u00edseme<\/strong> si necesita<\/strong> algo m\u00e1s para procesar mi solicitud.
\n<\/em>(Please let me know if you need anything else to process my request.)<\/p>\n

In business<\/h3>\n

Within your company, follow the corporate culture. When dealing with those outside of your company in business contexts you’ll definitely use\u00a0usted<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Bosses used to be able to address underlings with t\u00fa<\/em> but this is now considered pretty ugly. If there’s a difference in assigned power roles, you might use usted<\/em> just to be safe and show respect, both to those whom you manage and those who manage you.<\/p>\n

\u00bfPuede<\/strong> reunirse ma\u00f1ana a las 10:00 en nuestra oficina?<\/em>
\n(Can you meet tomorrow at 10:00 at our office?)<\/span><\/p>\n

Por favor revise<\/strong> la propuesta y d\u00e9jeme<\/strong> saber lo que piensa.
\n<\/em>(Please review the proposal and let me know what you think. )<\/p>\n

With people you don’t know<\/h3>\n

If you’re speaking to someone on the street for directions, or anyone who you don’t already know personally, use usted<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Disculpe<\/strong>, \u00bfpodr\u00eda<\/strong> decirme qu\u00e9 hora es?<\/em>
\n(Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?)<\/p>\n

Perdone<\/strong>, \u00bfest\u00e1<\/strong> en la fila para pagar?
\n<\/span><\/em>(Sorry, are you in line to pay?)<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re ever not sure which one to use, just use <\/strong>usted.<\/strong> <\/em>It’s better to be too formal than too informal to avoid causing offense. You can also just ask. As a non-native speaker, especially, you can plead ignorance and learn from the situation. The phrase to use is:<\/p>\n

\u00bfNos podemos tutear<\/strong>?<\/em> \u2014 Can we use t\u00fa<\/em>?<\/p>\n

Ustedes vs. Vosotros<\/h2>\n

Ustedes<\/em> is the plural version of both usted<\/em> and\u00a0t\u00fa<\/em> in Latin America, so it can be formal and informal. In Spain,\u00a0vosotros<\/em> is the plural of\u00a0t\u00fa<\/em>\u2014making it informal\u2014and ustedes<\/em> the plural of usted<\/em>.<\/p>\n

We use these words when referring to a group of two or more people that doesn’t include ourselves. It’s like the Spanish equivalent of\u00a0y’all<\/em> or\u00a0you all<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Here’s how to conjugate their verb forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish Verb<\/th>Ustedes<\/i><\/th>Vosotros<\/i><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ser <\/a>\n <\/i> (to be)<\/td> Son <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td> Sois <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estar <\/a>\n <\/i> (to be)<\/td> Est\u00e1n <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td> Est\u00e1is <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vivir <\/a>\n <\/i> (to live)<\/td> Viven <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td> Viv\u00eds <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tener <\/a>\n <\/i> (to have)<\/td> Tienen <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td> Ten\u00e9is <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ba\u00f1arse <\/a>\n <\/i> (to bathe, swim)<\/td> Se ba\u00f1an <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td> Os ba\u00f1\u00e1is <\/a>\n <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

When to Switch from Usted<\/em> to T\u00fa<\/em>?<\/h2>\n

Usted<\/em> is used in all formal situations. But when it comes to people you’re just meeting, you can typically start using\u00a0t\u00fa<\/em> once you get to know them better\u2014as long as they’re not in a position of authority or your elder. For example, in most cases, you’ll always use\u00a0usted<\/em> with your in-laws but not with your own parents.<\/p>\n

The best rule to follow as a foreigner would probably just be to wait until they start using\u00a0t\u00fa<\/em> to address you.<\/strong> This is what I do, and it works pretty well.<\/p>\n

But this also depends on the region. For example, in Colombia, it’s very common for married couples to use\u00a0usted\u00a0<\/em>with each other. Or for parents to use\u00a0usted<\/em> with their children. It’s pretty much interchangeable with\u00a0t\u00fa<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The bottom line: pay attention to your environment and try to blend in.<\/p>\n

The only way to do this is by talking to and listening to native speakers. You can do this easily and online with a program like FluentU<\/a>.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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