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vos

vohs/bos/

“vos” means “you” in Spanish (singular, familiar address (replaces 'tú' in voseo regions)).

you

Argentina and UruguayCentral America (e.g., Costa Rica, Nicaragua)Colombia (Western regions)
A friendly young woman smiling and pointing directly at a single young man, illustrating the concept of direct, familiar address.

📝 In Action

Vos tenés que terminar tu tarea antes de salir.

A2

You have to finish your homework before leaving. (Note: The verb 'tenés' is the vos form.)

¿Qué hacés esta noche, vos?

B1

What are you doing tonight, you?

Vení a mi casa el domingo; vamos a almorzar.

B2

Come to my house on Sunday; we are going to have lunch. (Note: The command form 'Vení' is used.)

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tú (you (singular, familiar))

Antonyms

  • usted (you (singular, formal))

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vos" in Spanish:

you→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vos

Question 1 of 1

If you are in Argentina, which sentence would you use to tell a friend, 'You live far away'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tú(you (familiar)) — Pronoun
usted(you (formal)) — Pronoun
🎵 Rhymes▼
dosDios
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word 'vos,' which originally meant 'you' plural. During the Middle Ages, Spanish adopted it as a formal way to address a single person (like addressing a king). Although Spain eventually dropped it in favor of 'tú' or 'usted,' it remained the standard form in many Spanish American colonies.

First recorded: Classical Latin (later preserved in medieval Iberian dialects)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: vós

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Frequently Asked Questions

If I learn 'tú,' do I need to learn 'vos'?

It depends on where you plan to travel. If you are going to Central America, Argentina, or Uruguay, learning 'vos' is essential for sounding natural and understanding daily conversations, as 'tú' is rarely used there.

Is 'vos' formal or informal?

'Vos' is informal and familiar. It is used in situations where you would normally use 'tú' in other Spanish-speaking regions. It is never used for formal address; for that, you must use 'usted'.