Carlos José Bueso Más Formal and Informal Language

YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avSfFfFb1QA

Spanish

El "usted" y el "tú," los americanos tienen la ventaja obviamente de que no hay una distinción ahí. Cuando uno dice "you," pues, es simplemente combinado a la otra persona. Yo creo que es mucho más fácil en inglés tratar, o sea no tener el problema de la distinción entre el "tú" y "usted." En Latinoamérica obviamente el "usted" es seña de respeto. Ahí varios países, Chile, Colombia, son países donde se usa el "usted" a los papás, a la familia, inclusive a los hermanos. O sea, es una forma, inclusive, que hasta los mismos amigos de salir, es con "usted." Entonces, yo considero que es importante siempre usar y empezar con una forma de respeto y si uno no está seguro exactamente en este país cómo se utiliza el "usted" y el "tú" siempre empezar por el "usted" porque seguro de que es una forma más correcta de hablar. Si ya ve uno que la otra persona, pues ya como dicen, le tutean, empiezan y a hablarle con más confianza de "tú," pues, ya es correcto cambiar al "tú" pero siempre empezar de la forma más segura utilizando el "usted."

English

With "usted" and "tú," Americans have the advantage obviously in that there is no distinction there. When you say "you," you simply deal with the other person. I believe that it is much easier to deal in English, that is to say, there isn't any problem in distinguishing between "tú" and "usted." In Latin America "usted" is obviously a sign of respect. In many countries, Chile, Colombia, there are countries where one uses "usted" with their parents, relatives, and even with their brothers and sisters. That is, even with the friends they go out with they use "usted." So I think that it is important to always use, to begin with a form of respect and if you are not exactly sure which form is used or if a certain country uses "usted" or "tú," begin with "usted" because you can be sure that it is a more correct way of speaking. Then you'll see if the other person starts, as they say, talking with "tú" to you, then you can talk to them more informally and you can, it is OK for you to change to "tú" but always begin with the safest form by using "usted."

Return to General Topic: Formal and Informal Language

Return to Spanish Topic: Formal and Informal Language

Authors: LouisPM, h.brinsko, orkelm.