The document discusses the differences between using "tú" and "usted" in Spanish. "Tú" is the informal way to say "you" and should be used with family, friends, children, pets, and coworkers you are friendly with. "Usted" is the formal way to say "you" and should be used with older people, people in positions of authority, new acquaintances, and when in doubt about whom to address formally or informally. Knowing when to use "tú" or "usted" is essential for proper communication in Spanish.
The document discusses the differences between using "tú" and "usted" in Spanish. "Tú" is the informal way to say "you" and should be used with family, friends, children, pets, and coworkers you are friendly with. "Usted" is the formal way to say "you" and should be used with older people, people in positions of authority, new acquaintances, and when in doubt about whom to address formally or informally. Knowing when to use "tú" or "usted" is essential for proper communication in Spanish.
The document discusses the differences between using "tú" and "usted" in Spanish. "Tú" is the informal way to say "you" and should be used with family, friends, children, pets, and coworkers you are friendly with. "Usted" is the formal way to say "you" and should be used with older people, people in positions of authority, new acquaintances, and when in doubt about whom to address formally or informally. Knowing when to use "tú" or "usted" is essential for proper communication in Spanish.
The document discusses the differences between using "tú" and "usted" in Spanish. "Tú" is the informal way to say "you" and should be used with family, friends, children, pets, and coworkers you are friendly with. "Usted" is the formal way to say "you" and should be used with older people, people in positions of authority, new acquaintances, and when in doubt about whom to address formally or informally. Knowing when to use "tú" or "usted" is essential for proper communication in Spanish.
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USTED VS TÚ
There are situations in which we are compelled to address people in a more respectful manner than when speaking to family or friends. Unlike English, Spanish allows us to express different levels of formality, with the use of TÚ and USTED, for instance. These two words mean YOU, but one is more formal than the other. Distinguishing when is proper to use one or the other is essential for communicating in Spanish. So, this time we are going to help you learn when to use them.
USTED Usted is the translation of You that Spanish speakers use in formal contexts. It corresponds to the situations in which you would normally use Sir, Madam or Miss to address the person to whom you are talking. Thus, in general terms you use Usted when speaking to:
An older person Señor, pase usted primero.
A teacher, professor, doctor, police officer, priests or other
authority figures Disculpe, oficial. ¿Sabe usted dónde queda el banco?
A business or job partners, especially if they have a higher rank
Gracias, señora Gómez. Usted siempre tan eficiente
In some places or families, the youngest members address their
parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles by usted Gracias, señora Gómez. Usted siempre tan eficiente
People you don’t know or you have just met
Mucho gusto. ¿Vive usted en esta zona? TÚ Tú is the informal equivalent of Usted.. It should be your choice when speaking in casual interactions with people close to you, of your same age or same position in a working environment. Therefore, you can use Tú when addressing to:
Children Hola, pequeñita. ¿Cómo te llamas tú?
Pets Tú sí que estás sucio. Vamos bañarte, Rocky
Work colleagues and business associates you’re friendly with
Oye, tú que sabes más de esto, ¿me puedes ayudar con el informe?
Friends and family members (unless you are in a country where
people use usted with older people even if they are family members) Mamá, ¿tú has visto mi cartera?
Young people, especially if they are your peers
Hola, tú. ¿Qué hay de nuevo?
When you insult somebody (it would be odd to maintain formality
when you are insulting someone) Si tú eres más bruto que un burro
When in doubt If you are not sure whether to refer to someone using usted or tú, it would be wise to remember that it is more likely to offend somebody by being informal than the opposite. So, when in doubt, you’d better use usted. In any case, you can always ask: ¿Nos podemos tutear? Or ¿Le puedo tutear? Which means using tú instead of usted. Children Hola, pequeñita. ¿Cómo te llamas tú? Pets Tú sí que estás sucio. Vamos bañarte, Rocky. Work colleagues and business associates Oye, tú que sabes más de esto, ¿me you’re friendly with puedes ayudar con el informe? Friends and family members (unless you are Mamá, ¿tú has visto mi cartera? in a country where people use usted with older people even if they are family members) Young people, especially if they are your Hola, tú. ¿Qué hay de nuevo? peers When you insult somebody (it would be odd Si tú eres más bruto que un burro to maintain formality when you are insulting someone)
An older person Señor, pase usted primero.
A teacher, professor, doctor, police officer, Disculpe, oficial. ¿Sabe usted dónde priests or other authority figures queda el banco? A business or job partners, especially if they Gracias, señora Gómez. Usted siempre have a higher rank tan eficiente In some places or families, the youngest Abuelo, ¿usted quiere café? members address their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles by usted People you don’t know or you have just met Mucho gusto. ¿Vive usted en esta zona?
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