tú
/too/
📝 In Action
¿Tú hablas español?
A1Do you speak Spanish?
Tú eres mi mejor amigo.
A1You are my best friend.
Creo que tú tienes razón.
A2I think that you are right.
¿Qué vas a hacer tú mañana?
A2What are you going to do tomorrow?
💡 Grammar Points
Tú vs. Usted: The Informal 'You'
'Tú' is how you say 'you' to friends, family, kids, or anyone you're on a first-name basis with. It signals closeness and familiarity.
Often Optional
You can often leave 'tú' out because the verb ending already shows you're talking about 'you'. For example, 'Hablas español' means the same as 'Tú hablas español'.
Use 'Tú' for Emphasis
Even though it's optional, you can add 'tú' to a sentence to add emphasis or to make it clear who you're talking about. For example, '¿Y tú? ¿Qué piensas?' (And YOU? What do you think?).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Tú vs. Tu (The Missing Accent!)
Mistake: "'Me gusta tu casa.' (I like you house.)"
Correction: The word 'tu' without an accent mark means 'your'. To say 'you', you must include the accent: 'Tú eres de España.' That little line on top changes the whole meaning.
Using 'Tú' in a Formal Situation
Mistake: "To a new boss: '¿Tú necesitas el reporte?'"
Correction: In formal situations, use 'usted' instead: '¿Usted necesita el reporte?' Using 'tú' with a stranger, a boss, or an older person can seem disrespectful.
⭐ Usage Tips
When in Doubt, Use 'Usted'
If you're not sure whether to use 'tú' or 'usted' with someone new, it's always safer and more polite to start with 'usted'. They will often tell you if it's okay to switch to 'tú'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tú
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'tú'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'tú' and 'tu'?
The accent mark is everything! 'Tú' (with an accent) is a pronoun that means 'you'. 'Tu' (without an accent) is a possessive adjective that means 'your'. Example: 'Tú tienes tu libro.' (You have your book.)
When can I leave 'tú' out of a sentence?
Most of the time! In Spanish, the verb ending usually tells you who is doing the action. You can say 'Cantas bien' instead of 'Tú cantas bien', and it means the same thing. You only need to add 'tú' for emphasis or clarity.
Is 'vos' the same as 'tú'?
Basically, yes. 'Vos' is used instead of 'tú' in countries like Argentina and Uruguay. It also means the informal 'you', but it just uses slightly different verb forms. If you're in a country where 'vos' is common, you'll want to learn it, but otherwise, 'tú' is what you'll use and hear most often.