Tú o usted

Tú o usted

Using the right pronoun for the job

Multiple Choice

Bell Work:

What is another way to describe formal writing?

• Casual writing

• Professional writing

• Formatted writing

• Faceless writing

Multiple Choice

What is another way to describe informal writing?

• Casual writing

• Professional writing

• Impossible writing

• Formatted writing

Open Ended

Write whether the following is a formal or informal text and WHY.

Hey, Alma,

Just saw that you called. I'm busy now, but call me l8tr?

Josie

Multiple Select

What could we add to this writing to make it informal?

Good evening, Chelsea,

Thank you for reaching out; it was good to hear from you. I would love to see you and chat about our next steps. Would you have time this week to meet? I look forward to hearing from you, soon.

Best, Bridget

• Abbreviations

• Complete sentences

• Slang

• Expressions of emotions

• More cowbell

Objetivos de aprendizaje

Meta - Today, I will be able to describe the difference between the pronouns "tú" and "usted".

¿Por qué? - So that I can use the correct pronoun in the right situation.

¡Éxito! - I am successful when I create a helpful way to remember the difference between "tú" and "usted".

Tú and usted are both Spanish words for “you”, but they each carry a different level of respect. Usted is the more formal version. It’s used when referring to someone who is an acquaintance, of a higher job position, or even simply just older.

Tú is informal. Think of it as a casual use of the word “you”. It finds its way into conversations between friends, family members, and other people you have a social connection with beyond a professional setting. (grittyspanish.com)

The easiest way to determine when to use formal or informal versions of you is to compare it to instances where you would use “sir” or “ma'am”. Most of us wouldn’t 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 understood. (grittyspanish.com)

When to use usted (formal)...

• Your superior

• Your elder

• A business professional

• A stranger

• Anyone you would refer to as "Sir", "Ma'am", "Mister" or "Missus" (grittyspanish.com)

Multiple Select

Class Work:

Select all of the people with whom you would use usted.

• Someone's grandmother (your elder)

• Your boss at a new job (your superior)

• The cashier at Target (a stranger)

• Your teacher (a Mr. or Ms.)

• Your cousin (your peer)

Open Ended

Give an example of someone you know in your life that you would address with "usted".

When to use tú (informal)...

There are a few situations in which it’s completely normal to engage informally even from the first encounter.

With children and animals

How many dogs have you walked up to and said, “Who’s a good, sir?” When addressing animals or small children, it’s completely normal to jump straight into using “tú”. Casual (informal) language is to be expected in these cases. (grittyspanish.com)

Work buddies

It’s 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 tú.

Young people, especially your peers (people the same age as you)

Think about when you are in school. You don’t go around addressing your peers as mister, sir, or madam. Conversations are always casual, whether you’re just meeting someone or you’ve known them for years. (grittyspanish.com)

Close friends and family

When you’re hanging with your crew or home with the family, you don’t have to be formal. Whether they’re 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. (grittyspanish.com)

Multiple Select

Select all the people with whom you would use "tú".

• Your mom (family and friends)

• Your co-worker (work buddies)

• Your friend's little sister (children and animals)

• Your new classmate (your peers)

• Your new teacher (Mr. or Ms.)

Open Ended

Who is someone in your life with whom you would use "tú"?

Open Ended

Your turn:

I have just met my boss for the first time. I greet them with "tú". Why won't this work?

Open Ended

I am meeting a new friend of my friend and we are exactly the same age! I greet them with "usted". Will this work? Why or why not?