How to use usted in Spanish?

By Marta Díaz on Thursday, July 24, 2025

A very common question among Spanish students is not knowing when to use tú or usted when addressing someone. These pronouns differentiate how you address another person in Spanish, depending on whether it is an informal or formal conversation. For example, in English, these pronouns are simplified into one: “you”.

So, if you've made it this far, it's because you want to know the keys to learning how to use usted in Spanish and differentiate it from tú. Enforex reveals the method that will help you know whether to use tú or usted in a conversation 90% of the time.

Usted vs Tú: which one to use?

The trick you need to know to use one pronoun or the other, and understand the difference between tú and usted, is this one: it all depends on the level of formality of a conversation. Thus, in Spanish, the choice of tú or usted varies depending on the degree of formality and who you are addressing.

The easiest way to remember when to use usted and when to use tú is simple: use usted or ustedes in formal situations and tú in informal conversations. However, this trick can change depending on the Spanish-speaking country you are in. For example, in Spain you can apply it in 90% of cases, while in Latin American countries, the pronoun usted (or ustedes) is used in both formal and informal contexts.

In general, in Spain, the pronoun tú is used to address people who are close to you or in more informal contexts. You will hear it in conversations on the street, between classmates, or between people of similar hierarchical rank in a work context. For example:

• ¿Sabes (tú) dónde está el baño? (Do you know where the bathroom is?)
• (Tú) tienes que dejarme de repetir lo mismo (You must stop repeating the same thing to me)

In Spanish, you can often omit the subject, which is why it appears in parentheses in the previous sentences.

Mientas que usted or ustedes is used in a more formal setting to address people you don't know, who are older than you, or who are higher in rank than you at work. You can also use usted in a more informal context when addressing people, you don't know and want to show them respect. For example:

• ¿Me puede indicar (usted) cómo llegar al museo? (Can you tell me how to get to the museum?)
• ¿Sabe usted dónde está la parada de metro más cercana? (Do you know where the nearest subway station is?)

How to use usted and ustedes?

Usted is a third-person singular pronoun, just like él and ella; while the plural form is ustedes. On the other hand, tú is a second-person singular pronoun. Since they are pronouns for different people, tú and usted are conjugated differently.

Examples:

• Tú eres mi mejor amigo / Usted es mi mejor amigo (You are my best friend)
• ¿Quieres (tú) algo de beber? / ¿Quiere (usted) algo de beber? (Would you like something to drink?)
• (Tú) eres muy amable conmigo / Usted es muy amable conmigo (You are very kind to me)
• (Vosotros) Formáis un equipo excelente / Ustedes forman un equipo excelente (You make an excellent team)
• ¿Tenéis (vosotros) alguna pregunta sobre el tema? / ¿Tienen (ustedes) alguna pregunta sobre el tema? (Do you have any questions about this topic?)

When is it correct to use usted?

There is no right or wrong situation for using usted or tú in Spanish. So don't worry, as a rule, you won't have to choose between tú and usted in conversation. Both forms are accepted, and as a student, native speakers will understand you regardless of which pronoun you use.

However, it is important to know that in different Spanish-speaking countries, there may be a distinction between using tú and ustedes.

For example, tú is used more in informal contexts and in countries such as Spain and Mexico, while usted is used in more formal situations in these countries. On the other hand, in places like Colombia, Chile, and other Latin American countries, they also use usted in informal situations. So, you may hear informal conversations on the street where both usted and ustedes are used.

It should also be noted that in Argentina, instead of using the pronoun tú, they use vos, especially in informal situations, but they also use ustedes in formal contexts.

It is important to bear in mind cultural and regional differences when using these pronouns in Spanish. But don't worry, if you address someone with kindness and respect, you won't be using tú or usted incorrectly. Go ahead and speak, and you'll see that one or the other will come naturally!

Exercises: usted vs tú

Below is an exercise in which you will have to complete the sentences with tú, usted, ustedes, or vosotros to perfect your command of these pronouns in Spanish. The answers are at the end of the article.

• ¿________ sabes a qué hora empieza la película?
• ¿Podría ayudarme, por favor, ________?
• Hola, ¿cómo estás? ¿________ quieres venir a mi casa esta tarde?
• Disculpe, ¿________ podría repetir la dirección?
• ¿________ tienen la reserva a nombre de Gómez?
• Buenas tardes, ¿________ es el director de la empresa?
• ¿A qué hora llegaste ayer, ________?
• Señores, ¿________ desean algo de beber?
• No sé si ________ recuerdas lo que hablamos la semana pasada.
• ¿________ me puede decir si este asiento está ocupado?
• ¿________ queréis venir con nosotros al cine?
• ¿________ entienden las instrucciones o necesitan ayuda?
• Hola, chicos, ¿________ habéis hecho los deberes?
• ¿Qué opinas ________ sobre este tema?
• Por favor, ¿________ me podría firmar este documento?
• ¿________ sois los nuevos vecinos?
• Perdone, ¿________ trabaja aquí?
• Mamá, ¿________ me ayudas con la tarea?
• ¿________ han estado antes en este restaurante?
• Profesor, ¿________ puede explicar otra vez la última parte?

We hope our article has helped you understand the differences between usted and tú and that you now know how and when to use each one. But if you need to reinforce your knowledge or have more questions about the use of usted, don't hesitate to sign up for an intensive Spanish course. Our teachers will answer all your questions.

Start now and become bilingual in Spanish with Enforex!

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