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usted

oos-TEDusˈteð

“usted” means “you” in Spanish (formal, singular).

you

PronounA1formal
Latin AmericaSpain
A person respectfully addressing an older person, like a doctor or teacher, with a gesture of politeness.

📝 In Action

¿Cómo está usted?

A1

How are you?

Usted es un excelente profesor.

A1

You are an excellent teacher.

Disculpe, ¿usted sabe dónde está la estación?

A2

Excuse me, do you know where the station is?

Señora, ¿necesita usted ayuda?

A2

Ma'am, do you need help?

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • tú (you (informal))
  • vos (you (informal, regional))

Common Collocations

  • ¿Cómo está usted? – How are you? (formal)
  • Como usted diga. – As you say.
  • Pase usted. – Come in. / After you.

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "usted" in Spanish:

you→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: usted

Question 1 of 2

You are meeting your new boss, Señora García, for the first time. How should you ask her 'How are you?'

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the old Spanish phrase 'vuestra merced', which meant 'your grace'. Over centuries, it was shortened and blended together to become 'usted'.

First recorded: Around the 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: você

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'usted' for a man or a woman?

'Usted' can be used for any gender. It's a neutral way to say 'you' formally to one person, whether they are a man or a woman.

When can I stop using 'usted' and start using 'tú'?

This depends on the culture and the person. A good rule is to wait for the other person (especially if they are older or in a higher position) to say something like 'puedes tutearme,' which means 'you can use 'tú' with me.' When in doubt, stick with 'usted'.

What's the difference between 'usted' and 'ustedes'?

'Usted' is for talking to ONE person formally. 'Ustedes' is for talking to MORE THAN ONE person, and it can be formal or informal depending on the region.