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From Noun to Pronoun by Cari Luna

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. Subject pronouns are not used as often in spoken Spanish as in English, because they are implied by the verb ending used. For example, it would be correct to say: yo soy americana (I am American). However, what you're much more likely to hear in actual conversation is: soy americana. Because soy is the first-person singular conjugation of the verb ser (to be), the “I” is clear even without the pronoun.

Personal Subject Pronouns <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>yo</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>yoh</p></td> <td><p>I</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>tú</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>too</p></td> <td><p>you (singular, informal)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>usted</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>oo-STEHD</p></td> <td><p>you (singular, formal)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>él</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>ehl</p></td> <td><p>he</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>ella</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>EHY-yah</p></td> <td><p>she</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>nosotros</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>noh-SOH-trohs</p></td> <td><p>we</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>nosotras</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>noh-SOH-trahs</p></td> <td><p>we (feminine)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>vosotros</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>voh-SOH-trohs</p></td> <td><p>you (plural, used in Spain)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>vosotras</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>voh-SOH-trahs</p></td> <td><p>you (plural, feminine, used in Spain)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>ustedes</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>oo-STEH-dehs</p></td> <td><p>you (plural)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>ellos</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>EHY-yohs</p></td> <td><p>they</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>ellas</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>EHY-yahs</p></td> <td><p>they (feminine)</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <h2>You and You</h2> <p>So when do you use <emphasis>tú</emphasis> and when do you use <emphasis>usted</emphasis>? When addressing one person, you need to choose either the formal <emphasis>(usted)</emphasis> or the informal <emphasis>(tú)</emphasis> way of saying “you.” If you are speaking to a child or a friend, use the <emphasis>tú</emphasis> form. Otherwise, it's best to err on the side of formality and use <emphasis>usted</emphasis>.</p> <p>And what about <emphasis>vosotros</emphasis> and <emphasis>ustedes</emphasis>? The distinction is easy — you'll only hear <emphasis>vosotros</emphasis> used in Spain. For the most part, the rest of the Spanish-speaking world uses <emphasis>ustedes</emphasis> for the plural form of “you,” whether the address is formal or informal. If you are in Spain, the guidelines for choosing between <emphasis>vosotros</emphasis> and <emphasis>ustedes</emphasis> are the same as those for <emphasis>tú</emphasis> and <emphasis>usted</emphasis> — it depends on the degree of formality.</p> <p>Be aware that because there are informal and formal ways of addressing people, these distinctions do carry meaning. For example, if you normally use <emphasis>tú</emphasis> with a friend and then switch to <emphasis>usted,</emphasis> you may be expressing anger or a desire to distance yourself from that person. Similarly, if you use <emphasis>tú</emphasis> when addressing an older person or one in a position of respect, such as a judge or police officer, then that choice indicates intentional disrespect.</p> <!--/gc--> <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases/pronunciation-and-grammar/nouns-and-articles.htm" title="Nouns and Articles">Nouns and Articles</a></li><li class="next"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases/pronunciation-and-grammar/verbs-and-conjugation.htm" title="Verbs and Conjugation">Verbs and Conjugation</a> </li></ul></div></div> <div id="coda"> <div id="rel"><div class="n5">Related Articles</div><ul> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases/pronunciation-and-grammar/from-noun-to-pronoun.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> From Noun to Pronoun - Spanish Phrases </a></li> <li><a href="http://spanish.about.com/od/pronouns/a/you.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Formal and Informal 'You' - Spanish Grammar for Beginners </a></li> 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