Inklingo

uds

oos-TEH-desusˈteðes

uds means you (plural) in Spanish (Addressing a group of people).

you (plural)

Also: y'all
PronounA1Neutral
Latin AmericaSpain
A single person standing on the left, facing and gesturing toward a group of three people on the right, symbolizing addressing 'you' plural.

📝 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

Common Collocations

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "uds" in Spanish:

y'all

✏️ 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

👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology

The full word, 'ustedes,' is a contraction of the old Spanish phrase 'vuestras mercedes' (your graces/mercies), which was a highly formal way to address nobles hundreds of years ago. Over time, it shortened and lost its formal connotation in many regions.

First recorded: The full form 'vuestras mercedes' appeared in the 15th century; the contraction 'ustedes' solidified later.

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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).