Explanation
Spanish personal pronouns divide into subject pronouns (yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros, vosotros, ellos, ellas, ustedes), direct object pronouns (me, te, lo, la) and indirect object pronouns (me, te, le). Subject pronouns are usually omitted because the verb ending already identifies the speaker.
Learners are often surprised that Spanish drops subject pronouns — the verb ending already carries that information.
Tú versus usted
Tú is for friends, family and peers; usted is for elders, customers and formal settings. Spain uses tú far more readily than most of Latin America.
Vosotros versus ustedes
Spain uses vosotros as the informal plural; Latin America uses ustedes for both registers. DELE accepts either.
Object pronoun position
They go before a conjugated verb (Lo veo) but may attach to an infinitive or gerund (Voy a verlo).
Key points
- Subject pronouns: yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros, vosotros, ellos, ellas, ustedes.
- Spanish routinely omits subject pronouns in ordinary speech.
- Tú is informal; usted is formal.
- Vosotros is used in Spain; Latin America uses ustedes.
- Object pronouns precede a conjugated verb or attach to an infinitive.
Examples
¿Cómo se llama usted?
What is your name? (formal)
Te veo mañana.
See you tomorrow. (te is an object pronoun)
Voy a llamarte esta noche.
I'll call you tonight. (pronoun attached to the infinitive)
Common mistakes
- Using tú with elders or in formal settings.
- Placing an object pronoun after a conjugated verb: Veo lo should be Lo veo.
- Stating the subject pronoun in every sentence, which sounds unnatural.