The Difference Between “Usted” and “Ustedes”

In Spanish, there are two main ways to address someone formally: “usted” and “ustedes.” Both words mean “you,” but they are used in different situations.

Usted

• Used to address a single person in a formal setting. This includes people you don’t know, people you respect, and people who are older than you.
• Can be used for both men and women.
• Conjugated as a third-person singular verb.

Examples:

¿Cómo está usted?

Usted es muy amable.

Ustedes

• Used to address a group of people in a formal setting. This includes people you don’t know, people you respect, and people who are older than you.
• Can be used for both men and women.
• Conjugated as a third-person plural verb.

Examples:

¿Cómo están ustedes?

Ustedes son muy amables.

When to Use Usted vs. Ustedes

The following table summarizes the key differences between “usted” and “ustedes”:

	Usted	Ustedes
Number	Singular	Plural
Formality	Formal	Formal
Conjugation	Third-person singular	Third-person plural
Use	To address a single person in a formal setting	To address a group of people in a formal setting

Conclusion

“Usted” and “ustedes” are two important words in Spanish that are used to address people formally. By understanding the difference between the two words, you can avoid making mistakes when speaking or writing Spanish.

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