Subject pronouns: yo, tú, él, ella…
Usually left out, and there are four ways to say «you».
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| yo | I |
| tú | you (one person, informal) |
| él / ella / usted | he / she / you (one person, formal) |
| nosotros / nosotras | we (masc. or mixed / fem.) |
| vosotros / vosotras | you (several people, informal — Spain) |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | they (masc. / fem.) / you (several people, formal — or all in Latin America) |
Usted (polite «you») takes the third-person singular verb and ustedes the third-person plural: ¿Usted habla inglés? = Do you speak English?
In Latin America vosotros is not used: ustedes is the only plural «you», friendly or formal.
- ¿Usted es el profesor?Are you the teacher? (formal)
- Nosotras somos de Londres.We (women) are from London.
- ¿Vosotros vivís aquí?Do you guys live here?
Test yourself
-
Translate without a pronoun: «I speak Spanish.»
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Hablo español. -
Which verb form goes with usted?
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third-person singular -
How do you say «you guys» to friends in Madrid?
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vosotros / vosotras -
And in Mexico?
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ustedes