difference between tu and su
when is it correct to use tú and when is it correct to use su . . . to indicate "your" please give me your schedule. . . por favor dame tú horario . . . OR por favor dame su horario . . .
5 Answers
Hi Kathim. Welcome to the forum.
You'd use "tu" when it's informal and "su" when it's formal conversation.
"Tu" without an accent means "your." "Tú" with an accent means "you" (informal).
This might be better answered as a separate question (and I'm certain this topic has likely been covered here and many other places on the internet), but I'll answer Krama's question here anyway..
There is no single rule used 100% of the time everywhere when it comes to formal vs. informal speech in Spanish. For the most part, very generally speaking, it is similar to French the way you've described it. However, the uses of "tú" and "usted" are heavily dependent upon both regional speech customs, culture, and personal preference. Some use "usted" with people as close as their parents and children; others use "tú" even with older family members. In some places, the informal "tú" is never used - much like Brazilian Portuguese, in which the familiar singular "tú" is archaic, or most of Latin American Spanish, where the familiar plural "vosotros" is archaic.
A safe bet is to always use "usted" with people you don't know, people in positions of authority, coworkers, and those older than yourself unless they are close friends. If you're unsure whether or not "tú" may be used with family and older friends, don't use it until you're told to refer to them informally. If you're being overly formal, most people won't hesitate to tell you: "Por favor, trátame de tú"
Hi,i am trying to learn Spanish and finding it really hard,so maybe i am wrong with my answer.I understand the problem of knowing how to speak without offending,but i look on it as if a Spanish person was talking to me.If they tried to speak English and got it wrong it would be less offensive than if they did not try at all.Also i have never found a Spanish person unwilling to help if you speak incorrectly they appreciate you trying.
I also have some doubts about this use of "Tú" and "Usted" form.
Is it rude to use "tú" with our parents or our friends who are older than us?
I'm confused because I also learn french, and in french we use "Tu" with our parents or our friends regarless of their ages to express our closed relationship. The use of "Vous" which is similar to "usted" in spanish is not common.
So can someone clarify me that the rule in Spanish is completely different from French, and only usted form can be used with older person regardless of their closed relationship.
thank
Por favor dame tu horario. Or Dame tu horario, por favor. (if you already know the person, or if he/she is younger than you) Por favor déme su horario. Or Déme su horario, por favor. (if you know the person, but you respect that person ex.boss, older person, sometimes even parents, uncles, aunts, or if you do not know the person)
