Inklingo
A single person standing on the left, facing and gesturing toward a group of three people on the right, symbolizing addressing 'you' plural.

uds

oos-TEH-des

you (plural)?Addressing a group of people
Also:y'all?Informal American English equivalent

📝 In Action

Uds. deben traer su pasaporte mañana.

A1

You all must bring your passports tomorrow.

¿A qué hora llegan Uds. al aeropuerto?

A2

What time are you (plural) arriving at the airport?

Si Uds. lo deciden, podemos empezar ahora.

B1

If you decide, we can start now.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ustedes (you (plural))

Common Collocations

  • Uds. sonYou are (plural)
  • Uds. tienenYou have (plural)

💡 Grammar Points

Pronunciation of Abbreviations

Even though it is written 'Uds.', you must pronounce the full word: 'ustedes.' This abbreviation is only used in writing.

Verb Agreement

The pronoun 'Uds.' always uses the third-person plural form of the verb (the same form used for 'ellos' or 'ellas'). For example: 'Uds. comen' (You eat), 'Ellos comen' (They eat).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Formal and Informal Plural

Mistake: "Using 'vosotros' in Latin America."

Correction: In almost all of Latin America, 'Uds.' (ustedes) is the standard plural 'you' for both formal and informal situations. 'Vosotros' is only common in Spain.

⭐ Usage Tips

When to Use the Abbreviation

Use 'Uds.' when writing quickly, taking notes, or filling out forms where space is limited. Always use the full word 'ustedes' in formal speeches or essays.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: uds

Question 1 of 2

If you are in Mexico and talking to a group of friends, which is the correct pronoun to use?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'Uds.' the same as 'ustedes'?

Yes, 'Uds.' is simply the written abbreviation for the plural pronoun 'ustedes.' They mean the exact same thing: 'you (plural).'

Why does 'Uds.' use the same verb form as 'ellos' and 'ellas'?

Because 'ustedes' historically started as a third-person phrase ('your graces'). Even though it means 'you,' it kept the third-person verb endings, which is why it agrees with 'they' (ellos/ellas).