One of the first surprises when starting to learn Spanish is realizing that “you” isn’t as straightforward as it is in English. True to form, Spanish throws you for a loop with three common ways of saying “you”: tú, usted, and vos. Which one you use depends on where you are, who you’re speaking to, and how formal you need to be.
Let’s clear this up so you know exactly which “you” to use—without getting tangled in grammar confusion.
Tú: The Informal “You”
Tú is the informal “you.” Use it with friends, relatives, children, pets, or anyone you feel comfortable around. Think of it as talking casually with someone you’re familiar with.
Examples:
- ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
- ¿Tú quieres café? (Do you want coffee?)
Tú is commonly used throughout Spain and most of Latin America—but it’s not universal, as we’ll see next.
Usted: The Formal “You”
Usted is the formal version of “you.” Use it with strangers, elders, authority figures, or in business settings. It expresses respect, courtesy, or distance.
Examples:
- ¿Cómo está usted? (How are you, sir/ma’am?)
- ¿Usted trabaja aquí? (Do you work here?)
In some cultures—such as Colombia and parts of Central America—usted is used widely, even among friends or family, as a sign of respect.
Vos: The Regional Variation
Here’s where things get interesting. Vos replaces tú in specific regions of Latin America—particularly Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This usage is called voseo.
Vos isn’t just a different word—it comes with its own unique verb conjugations. That’s where things get a bit tricky.
Examples:
- ¿Vos querés ir? (Do you want to go?)
- ¿Cómo estás vos? (How are you?)
In voseo regions, using tú sounds overly formal or distinctly foreign. If you say “tú quieres” in Argentina, people will understand, but you’ll instantly be recognized as a visitor.
So… Which “You” Should You Use?
- Visiting Spain? Stick with tú (casual) and usted (formal).
- Traveling to Mexico, Peru, or Chile? Tú works fine in most situations.
- Heading to Argentina or Uruguay? Learn and use vos. Master the voseo conjugations.
- Not sure? Go with usted. It’s polite and will never offend.
Last Tip: Follow the Locals
Language is social. Listen carefully to how locals speak to you and reflect their choices. If they say tú, it’s safe for you to respond with tú as well. If they use usted, follow suit. And if you hear vos, you’ve officially entered voseo territory.
Spanish is filled with nuances—that’s exactly what makes it such a rich and enjoyable language to learn. Understanding these variations of “you” helps you communicate naturally, wherever your journey takes you.
Want a quick conjugation cheat sheet for tú, usted, and vos? I’ve got you covered.
