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Subject pronouns

A1

Spanish subject pronouns (yo, tú, usted ...) and when to drop them.

Overview

Spanish subject pronouns (yo, tú, usted ...) and when to drop them.

At a glance
  1. 1.The pronouns
  2. 2.Usually dropped
  3. 3.Pronoun for emphasis
  4. 4.tú vs. usted
  5. 5.Plural and gender
  6. 6.vos and vosotros

Rules

6

1The pronouns

yo, tú, usted, él/ella; nosotros/-as, vosotros/-as, ustedes, ellos/ellas.

  • Yo soy alemán y ella es española. — I am German and she is Spanish.
  • Nosotros trabajamos, ellos descansan. — We work, they rest.

2Usually dropped

The verb ending shows the person, so the pronoun is usually left out.

  • Hablo español. — I speak Spanish.no "yo" needed
  • ¿Vives en Madrid? — Do you live in Madrid?

3Pronoun for emphasis

You add the pronoun for emphasis or contrast between people.

  • Yo pago, tú esperas aquí. — I pay, you wait here.contrast
  • ¿Y tú? ¿Qué quieres? — And you? What do you want?

4tú vs. usted

"tú" is informal, "usted" is polite/formal and takes the él/ella verb form.

  • ¿Cómo estás? (tú) — How are you?informal
  • ¿Cómo está usted? — How are you?polite

5Plural and gender

Use nosotras/vosotras/ellas only for all-female groups; otherwise the masculine form.

  • Nosotras somos amigas. — We are (female) friends.women only
  • Ellos son mis hermanos. — They are my siblings.

6vos and vosotros

In Latin America the plural is "ustedes"; in many areas "vos" replaces "tú".

  • Vos tenés razón. (Argentina) — You are right.voseo
  • Ustedes hablan rápido. — You (pl.) speak fast.

Test

16

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