You, informal "tú" and formal "usted"

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cowoq

#19214 Wed, 24 Oct 07 03:06 AM

Hello!

When I was in Spain I noticed that the use of tú was almost universal. It was even used in the university between professors and students, even though I personally would always say usted to professors.

But I guess in Latin America it's quite different, like the well known fact that vosotr@s is replaced by ustedes.

Saludos,

Cowoq

cowoq

Joined on 24-10-2007

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Tú Spain Vosotros

Pucca

#19220 Wed, 24 Oct 07 12:14 PM

cowoq
It was even used in the university between professors and students, even though I personally would always say usted to professors

We adress them as "tú" but in another level, not in a level we would treat our friends or people around us.

We show a bit more respect to them. :)

We only use "usted" when it comes to a really important person or people older than you who you don't know.

Pucca

Joined on 22-10-2006

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Anonymous

#34833 Mon, 15 Sep 08 01:34 PM

In Spain we always say tú or vosotros, even to superiors, older people, etc. People use usted, typically, when they are talking DOWN to someone. When in Spain, use tú for everyone you meet, I promise.

Anonymous

semi-fly

#35101 Wed, 24 Sep 08 02:54 PM

As I understand tú and usted(s):

In Spanish there are 2 main ways to say "you" - tú, and usted (a 3rd informal word for "you", vos, is used only in select countries).

Usted is used to show respect as well as to put a little bit of distance between you and the person you are calling usted (abbreviated as Ud.)

Some Spanish speaking countries, like Mexico, use the word usted extensively, and almost always when you first meet someone.

Other countries like Spain are a bit more relaxed. For the elderly or people in positions of authority, you should always use usted unless asked to use tú.

semi-fly

Joined on 21-12-2006

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