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

usted

oos-TED

PronounA1

you?formal, singular

📝 In Action

¿Cómo está usted?

How are you?

Usted es un excelente profesor.

You are an excellent teacher.

Disculpe, ¿usted sabe dónde está la estación?

Excuse me, do you know where the station is?

Señora, ¿necesita usted ayuda?

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.

💡 Grammar Points

The Formal 'You'

'Usted' is how you say 'you' to one person formally. Use it for people you don't know, older people, or in professional situations to show respect.

Verb Partner

Even though 'usted' means 'you', it uses the same verb forms as 'él' (he) and 'ella' (she). For example, 'Usted habla' (You speak), not 'Usted hablas'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing with 'tú'

Mistake: "Using 'usted' with the verb form for 'tú', like: 'Usted tienes...'"

Correction: Always pair 'usted' with the verb form for 'él/ella': 'Usted tiene...'. Think of 'usted' as a 'he/she' verb partner.

Dropping it Too Soon

Mistake: "Switching to 'tú' too quickly with someone you've just met."

Correction: It's safer to stick with 'usted' until the other person invites you to use 'tú'. It's a sign of respect.

⭐ Usage Tips

When in Doubt, Use 'Usted'

If you're unsure whether to be formal or informal, using 'usted' is always the safe and polite choice.

The Abbreviation 'Ud.'

In writing, you'll often see 'usted' shortened to 'Ud.' or 'Vd.'. Don't be confused, it means the same thing!

✏️ 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

ustedes(you (plural)) - pronoun

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.