Understanding “Tú” vs. “Usted” in Spanish

One of the first things you’ll learn in Spanish is that there are two ways to say "you": tú and usted. Many learners are told that usted is just for older people, but that’s not always true. The real difference is formality.

Tú is informal. It’s used with friends, family, people your age, or anyone you're close to. Usted is formal and is used in professional situations, with strangers, or to show respect.

Examples

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When to use "usted"

You might use usted with a professor, a doctor, a customer, or even a stranger on the street. In some Spanish-speaking countries, like Colombia or Costa Rica, people use usted a lot more—even with family!

Helpful vocabulary

As you practice, you’ll start to hear when people use one or the other. Don’t be afraid to ask! And keep practicing with Lingobi for more lessons and examples.