Inklingo

How to Say "you" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word foryouis use this when speaking to one person informally, like a friend, family member, or someone your age..

🔊A1

Use this when speaking to one person informally, like a friend, family member, or someone your age.

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te🔊A1

Use this informal pronoun when 'you' is the direct or indirect object of a verb, referring to one person you know well.

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ti🔊A1

Use this after a preposition (like 'para', 'a', 'con') when referring to one person informally.

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usted🔊A1

Use this formal pronoun when addressing one person you don't know well, an elder, or someone in a position of authority.

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vos🔊A2

Use this familiar pronoun instead of 'tú' in regions that practice 'voseo', when addressing one person informally.

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os🔊A2

Use this informal pronoun when addressing multiple people directly, as the object of a verb or preposition, in Spain.

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la🔊A2

Use this formal pronoun as the direct object when referring to a woman you are addressing as 'usted'.

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los🔊A2

Use this formal pronoun as the direct object when referring to multiple people you are addressing as 'ustedes'.

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se🔊B1

Use this impersonal pronoun to indicate a general 'you' or 'one', often used for rules or general statements.

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uno🔊B1

Use this pronoun for a general, impersonal 'you' or 'one', similar to 'one' in English, to express universal truths or observations.

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English → Spanish

PronounA1Informal
Use this when speaking to one person informally, like a friend, family member, or someone your age.

Examples

¿Tú hablas español?

Do you speak Spanish?

te

/teh//te/

PronounA1Informal
Use this informal pronoun when 'you' is the direct or indirect object of a verb, referring to one person you know well.
A person pointing directly at the viewer with a friendly smile, representing the pronoun 'you'.

Examples

¿Cómo te llamas?

What is your name?

Te quiero mucho.

I love you a lot.

Te doy el libro.

I'm giving the book to you.

Who is 'te' for?

'Te' is the informal 'you' for one person (the 'tú' form). Use it with friends, family, or people your age. For formal situations, you'd use 'le' (for usted).

Where does 'te' go?

'Te' usually goes right before the verb. For example, 'Yo te veo' (I see you). It's connected to the verb, unlike in English.

Mixing up 'te' and 'tú'

Mistake:Yo veo tú.

Correction: Yo te veo. Use 'tú' as the person doing the action ('Tú eres mi amigo'), but use 'te' for the person receiving the action ('Yo te veo').

ti

/tee//ti/

PronounA1Informal
Use this after a preposition (like 'para', 'a', 'con') when referring to one person informally.
A person pointing to another person, indicating 'you' as the recipient of an action or preposition.

Examples

Este regalo es para ti.

This gift is for you.

No puedo ir sin ti.

I can't go without you.

Confío en ti.

I trust in you.

Used After Linking Words (Prepositions)

'Ti' is the version of 'tú' (you) that you must use after short words like 'para' (for), 'a' (to), 'de' (of), and 'sin' (without).

Never write 'tí' with an accent

Mistake:Este regalo es para tí.

Correction: Este regalo es para ti. The word 'ti' never has an accent mark. The word 'té' with an accent is the drink 'tea'.

'Con ti' is always wrong

Mistake:Voy con ti al cine.

Correction: Voy contigo al cine. To say 'with you', Spanish has a special word that combines 'con' and 'ti': 'contigo'.

usted

/oos-TED//usˈteð/

PronounA1Formal
Use this formal pronoun when addressing one person you don't know well, an elder, or someone in a position of authority.
A person respectfully addressing an older person, like a doctor or teacher, with a gesture of politeness.

Examples

¿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?

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'.

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.

vos

vohs/bos/

PronounA2Informal
Use this familiar pronoun instead of 'tú' in regions that practice 'voseo', when addressing one person informally.
A friendly young woman smiling and pointing directly at a single young man, illustrating the concept of direct, familiar address.

Examples

Vos tenés que terminar tu tarea antes de salir.

You have to finish your homework before leaving.

¿Qué hacés esta noche, vos?

What are you doing tonight, you?

Vení a mi casa el domingo; vamos a almorzar.

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

The Function of Vos

'Vos' means 'you' (singular) and is used in familiar situations, just like 'tú.' The main difference is that using 'vos' changes the ending of the verb.

How Regular Verbs Change

For 'vos,' regular verbs drop the 'i' or 'e' from the 'tú' form and shift the stress to the last syllable (often with an accent mark). Example: 'tú hablas' becomes 'vos hablás'; 'tú comes' becomes 'vos comés'.

Easy Commands (Imperative)

To tell someone using 'vos' what to do, take the infinitive (the base verb, like 'comer'), drop the 'r', and place an accent on the final vowel. Example: 'Comer' becomes the command 'Comé' (Eat!).

Mixing Pronoun and Verb

Mistake:Using 'vos' with a 'tú' verb form, like: 'Vos hablas bien.'

Correction: Always match the pronoun and the verb form: 'Vos hablás bien.' (You speak well.)

os

/os//os/

PronounA2Informal
Use this informal pronoun when addressing multiple people directly, as the object of a verb or preposition, in Spain.
A colorful illustration showing one person handing a bright red apple to two smiling friends, symbolizing the action being directed toward the plural 'you'.

Examples

Chicos, ¿os puedo ayudar en algo?

Guys, can I help you with something?

Os voy a contar un secreto.

I'm going to tell you (all) a secret.

No os preocupéis, todo saldrá bien.

Don't you (all) worry, everything will be fine.

The 'You All' for Actions

Os is the shortcut for 'to you' or just 'you' when talking to a group of friends or family (the vosotros group). It tells you who is receiving the action of the verb.

Where Does `os` Go?

Os usually comes right before the verb (e.g., os digo - I tell you). But, you can attach it to the end of command verbs (¡sentaos!) or basic verb forms (para veros).

Mixing up `os` and `les`

Mistake:Les doy el libro a vosotros.

Correction: `Os` is the special pronoun that matches `vosotros`. `Les` is used for `ustedes` (the formal or Latin American 'you all'). The right way is: `Os doy el libro a vosotros`.

la

/la//la/

PronounA2Formal
Use this formal pronoun as the direct object when referring to a woman you are addressing as 'usted'.
A person's hand pointing directly at a blue butterfly, representing the Spanish pronoun 'la' which means 'her' or 'it' when referring to something feminine.

Examples

¿Conoces a Ana? Sí, la conozco.

Do you know Ana? Yes, I know her.

Compré la camisa ayer y ya la perdí.

I bought the shirt yesterday and I already lost it.

Señora, ¿la puedo ayudar?

Ma'am, can I help you?

Replacing a Noun

This 'la' is a shortcut. Instead of repeating a feminine noun, you can replace it with 'la'. For example, instead of 'Veo a la chica', you can say 'La veo' (I see her).

Where Does It Go?

Usually, 'la' goes right before the action word (the verb). 'La llamo' (I call her). With commands or two-verb phrases, you can attach it to the end: '¡Llámala!' (Call her!) or 'Voy a llamarla' (I'm going to call her).

Confusing 'la' and 'le'

Mistake:La doy un regalo a mi mamá.

Correction: Le doy un regalo a mi mamá. Use 'la' for who/what *receives the direct action* (I see HER). Use 'le' for who/what something is done *to* or *for* (I give a gift TO HER).

los

/lohs//los/

PronounA2Formal
Use this formal pronoun as the direct object when referring to multiple people you are addressing as 'ustedes'.
Hands placing several blue books onto a shelf, showing an action being done 'to them'.

Examples

¿Ves los coches? Sí, los veo.

Do you see the cars? Yes, I see them.

Tengo dos boletos. ¿Los quieres?

I have two tickets. Do you want them?

A mis amigos, los llamo cada semana.

My friends, I call them every week.

Replacing Nouns

Use 'los' to replace masculine plural nouns that receive an action. Instead of saying 'I read the books' ('Leo los libros'), you can say 'I read them' ('Los leo').

Where to Put 'Los'

'Los' usually goes right before the action word (the verb). For example, 'Los compro' (I buy them). It can also get attached to the end of an infinitive verb, like 'Quiero comprarlos' (I want to buy them).

Mixing up 'los' and 'les'

Mistake:A mis amigos, *les* veo en el parque.

Correction: Use 'A mis amigos, los veo en el parque.' You use 'los' for people/things that directly get the action (I see *them*). You use 'les' for people who receive something indirectly (I give a gift *to them*).

se

/seh//se/

PronounB1General/Impersonal
Use this impersonal pronoun to indicate a general 'you' or 'one', often used for rules or general statements.
A 'For Sale' sign in Spanish ('Se Vende') in front of a house, indicating a general action without specifying who is doing it.

Examples

Aquí se habla español.

Spanish is spoken here.

Se venden casas en esta calle.

Houses are sold on this street.

¿Cómo se dice 'apple' en español?

How do you say 'apple' in Spanish?

Making General Rules or Statements

Use 'se' when you want to say something is done in general, without saying exactly who does it. It's very common on signs and in instructions.

Translating 'They' Directly

Mistake:Ellos dicen que va a llover.

Correction: Se dice que va a llover. (They say it's going to rain.) When 'they' is general and doesn't refer to specific people, 'se' is often the more natural choice.

uno

/oo-no//ˈu.no/

PronounB1General/Impersonal
Use this pronoun for a general, impersonal 'you' or 'one', similar to 'one' in English, to express universal truths or observations.
A generic, featureless person seen from behind walking down a city street, representing 'one' or 'someone' in a general sense.

Examples

Uno nunca sabe qué va a pasar en la vida.

One never knows what's going to happen in life.

En esa situación, uno tiene que ser fuerte.

In that situation, you have to be strong.

A veces uno no sabe qué decir.

Sometimes one doesn't know what to say.

Talking About 'People in General'

This use of 'uno' is a common way to make general statements about life. It's like saying 'one' or 'you' in English when you're not talking about a specific person.

Gender Agreement

Mistake:Una debe ser honesta.

Correction: Uno debe ser honesto. Even when a woman is speaking about her own general experience, it's very common to stick with the masculine 'uno' for this impersonal meaning.

Informal vs. Formal 'You'

The most common mistake is using the informal 'tú' or 'te' when formality is required. Always start with the formal 'usted' when unsure of the relationship or social context with the person you are addressing.

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