If you've ever been confused about when to use vosotros versus ustedes in Spanish, you're not alone. This guide breaks it down so you won’t sound like a tourist - or worse, accidentally offend someone.
What’s the difference?
Both vosotros and ustedes mean 'you all' or 'you guys' in English, but their usage depends on where you are and how formal you want to be.
Vosotros
/boˈsotɾos/“You all (informal, Spain)”
Ustedes
/usˈtedes/“You all (formal or Latin America)”
When to use each
- In Spain: Use vosotros with friends, family, or people your age. Use ustedes in formal settings (e.g., business meetings, addressing elders).
- In Latin America: Ustedes is used universally, regardless of formality. Vosotros is almost never used (except in some formal or religious contexts).
Verb conjugations
The biggest difference is in the verb forms. Here’s how they compare:
| Verb | Vosotros | Ustedes |
|---|---|---|
| Hablar (to speak) | habláis | hablan |
| Comer (to eat) | coméis | comen |
| Vivir (to live) | vivís | viven |
Notice how vosotros has its own unique endings (-áis, -éis, -ís), while ustedes uses the same forms as 'ellos/ellas'.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using vosotros in Latin America (unless you’re quoting the Bible or Cervantes).
- Forgetting the accent marks in vosotros conjugations (e.g., 'hablais' instead of 'habláis').
- Assuming ustedes is always formal - it’s neutral in Latin America.
Practice examples
Here’s how the same sentence changes depending on the region:
- Spain (informal): "¿Vosotros queréis ir al cine?" (Do you all want to go to the cinema?)
- Spain (formal) / Latin America: "¿Ustedes quieren ir al cine?"
For more on regional Spanish variations, check out our guide on understanding Bulgarian accents and dialects - though it’s about Bulgarian, the same principles of regional variation apply.
Final tips
- If in doubt, use ustedes. It’s safer across most Spanish-speaking regions.
- Listen to native speakers. If you’re watching Spanish TV, note whether they use vosotros (likely Spain) or ustedes (likely Latin America).
- Don’t stress too much. Even if you mix them up, people will understand you - they’ll just know you’re learning.
