Within this blog post, you'll discover:
- đ Written examples in Spanish with English translation!
- đ Listen to examples voiced by native speaker!
- â Multiple Choice Quiz!
Did you know the United States now has more Spanish-speaking residents than all of Spain? Itâs true! The US now rankssecond in the world, right after Mexico.
With the language so common across the country, itâs a great idea to learn the new American language.
However, as youâre learning its important to know certain formality differences, such as when to use tĂș vs usted. While many Spanish-speaking individuals are forgiving of people who are in the midst of learning the language, itâs critical to create proper habits early on in your learning.
Read on to learn the distinction between common nouns tĂș and usted, as well as an in-depth look at the nature of formalities in Spanish cultures.
The Difference Between TĂș vs Usted
TĂș and usted are both Spanish words for âyouâ, but they each carry a different level of respect. Usted is the more formal version. Itâs used when referring to someone who is an acquaintance, of a higher status, or even simply just older.
TĂș is informal. Think of it as a casual use of the word âyouâ. It finds its way into conversations between friends, family members, and other people you have a social connection with beyond a professional setting.
The easiest way to determine when to use formal or informal versions of you is to compare it to instances where you would use âsirâ or âmadamâ.
Most of us wouldnât address our boss informally, nor would we address a stranger on the street like our friends. There is a certain boundary between a formal interaction and an informal one that is innately understood.
đš Remember to take our fun multiple choice quiz at the very end of the post! đš
Where Does Vos Come into Play?
But wait, what about vos? In most countries, âustedâ is formal and âtĂșâ informal. There are exceptions like Costa Rica, where âustedâ is informal. âVosâ is mainly informal, and it often replaces âtĂșâ, either partially or completely, depending on the country or region.
Itâs a less common variation here in the United States. Vos is used most often in Argentina, Spain, Paraguay, Uruguay, as well as certain areas of Central America and Chile.
However, like every language, Spanish has many dialects. While vos may seem like the easier option, you should be able to adapt to the generally accepted dialect.
In the United States, youâll find most Spanish-speaking individuals stick to tĂș and usted.
Learn more about Vos in this video below!
đ§ Challenge yourself with our fun and informative quiz waiting for you at the end. đ§
How Formalities Vary in Spanish Cultures
The more you travel or spend time around Spanish-speaking individuals from other countries, the more youâll start to realize that formality isnât universal across all Spanish cultures.
Some countries speak a moreformal Spanishwhile others are far more casual, or even blended with other languages.
When to Use Usted and Other Formal Language
Because formality is such a gray area, the best way to communicate is to make formal speech your default, then adapt according to social cues.
For example, start by greeting someone new using the formal âustedâ. If they respond in kind, then remain formal. However, if they respond by using informal language such as âTĂșâ and they are not:
- Your Superior
- Your Elder
- A Business Professional
- A Stranger
- Anyone You Would Refer to as Sir, Madam, Mister, or Misses
When in doubt, stick to a formal way of speaking. Whoever you are speaking to will likely correct you if the formality isnât necessaryby saying âÂĄTutĂ©ame!âor some variation thereof.
This is what it sounds like (Voiced by a Gritty Spanish voice actress):
You can also ask if itâs okay to talk familiarly by saying, âÂżNos podemos tutear?â.
This is what it sounds like:
When to Use TĂș and Other Informal Language
Now that we have extensively covered when to be formal, its time to talk about informality. When is it appropriate and how will you know? There are a few situations in which itâs completely normal to engage informally even from the first encounter.
1. Children and Animals
How many dogs have you walked up to and said, âWhoâs a good, sir?â When addressing animals or small children, itâs completely normal to jump straight into using âtuâ. Casual language is to be expected in these cases.
2. Work Colleagues with Whom Youâre on a Friendly Basis
Itâs natural to build closer relationships with some of your colleagues in the workplace. Through time you go from being co-workers to some level of friendship. As this happens, you can transition out of using usted and into informal addresses like tĂș.
3. Young People, Particularly Your Peers
Think about when you were in high school and college. You didnât go around addressing your peers as mister, misses, sir, or madam. Conversations were always casual, whether youâre just meeting someone or youâve known them for years.
The same goes for Spanish cultures. People in their teenage years or early 20âs often stick to speaking informally to each other.
đ After reaching the post's conclusion, ensure you take our engaging multiple-choice quiz to gauge your understanding of the material. đ
4. Addressing Close Friends and Family Members
When youâre hanging with your crew or home with the family, you donât have to be formal. Whether theyâre family or friends, the people you are comfortable around are ones you will naturally talk to in a casual way.
Formalities rarely come into play here. If they do, you might want to consider new friends.
5. When You Want to Be Offensive or Make a Point
Hey, letâs be honest. Sometimes we mean to be offensive. If someone cuts you off in traffic, thereâs no need for formalities when you yell whatever blunt message you choose out the window.
In the same way, being formal in an informal situation can make a very clear point. For example, if someone is being a little too familiar with you or showing unwanted advances, you can revert to a formal tone in order to clarify boundaries.
Being formal where formality is expected could be one way of distancing yourself from a situation and even showing coldness. This is important, because it could be a way of being distant and polite at the same time.
When you think about it, the formal usted and the informal tĂș really isnât that difficult to grasp. Your intuition will likely tell you when a situation calls for formality and when it doesnât.
Fun Fact: This is 100% correct, but youâll also hear people insulting each other, saying all kinds of insults while using the usted form. Yes, it is a bit strange hearing all the curse words, while they are maintaining a consistent âpoliteâ tone.
check out this video from Butterfly Spanish which summarizes this post perfectly!
Expand Your Spanish Skills
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