Help with Usted

Question

I am fluent in Spanish but have a hard time using usted for long conversations. I have recently begun speaking at length with my Spanish speaking mother in law and try to use Usted out of respect. If i was to say " I can bring you food" or " I can pay you for babysitting the baby" how would i exchange the familiar Tu that I am more accustomed to using. For example "yo te traigo comida/ te puedo traer comida" or yo te puedo pagar.." is it "Se puedo pagar...?" or "se traigo comida"?? For some reason those don't sound right to me.

Answer 1

I find it difficult to believe that you are fluent in Spanish yet you cannot converse in 3rd person formal. I don't mean that as an insult - I thought I was intermediate when I came here but I'm pretty much a high beginner. So it might help your language skills overall if you re-assess your competence level. I know it has mine. I am much more open to practicing and pursuing new vocabulary, etc. now.

You might find Lesson 2.3 helpful.

¡Bienvenidos a SpanishDict.com!

In many places in the world the formal Ud. version is almost unheard. It is common for people from these areas to use Tu exclusively. Using Thee and Thou would be awkward for most native English speakers. - KevinB, Jun 9, 2010

Thanks. i appreciate you clearing that up for LeslieW. I did not say I CANNOT speak formally, I said I find it difficult, as in my home and with my family we never did that, and I often find myself reverting back to the familiar during conversations. - nurseflaka, Jun 9, 2010

But as Leslie suggested I am pursuing new vocab and pratice, thats why I'm here! Thanks all. - nurseflaka, Jun 9, 2010

Yes, KevinB is totally right! And also for example in Spain, using "usted form" while speaking sometimes offends "traditional" people.. My teacher told me that, because, - culé, Jun 10, 2010

that kind of people remembers if you use usted , that the old spanish obligated the colonies to use "usted form" while speaking to them. So, I don't think all of the people think like that, of course, but I heard that they exist.. jeje :)) - culé, Jun 10, 2010

Answer 2

Hi, welcome to the forum..

I can bring you food : "Le puedo traer la comida..."

Or "Le puedo pagar....."

You need to put "usted" with the same category as "él,ella" all of the conjugations are the same with él , ella .. So while talking , think that the sentence was " I can bring her food..." it will always work...

But don't use se which is the reflexive appendix.. For example "Is your name Lucy?" ( formal) = "¿Se llama Lucy?"

La puedo .........(Ella) Le puedo ...... (Él) - 005faa61, Jun 9, 2010

Thank you. thank you. - nurseflaka, Jun 9, 2010

Using "le" for both her or him and you (formal) is correct. - Stardust2212, Jun 9, 2010

Stardust, technically you are correct. In Mexico, however, La is used for the feminine form. I can't speak for the other Spanish-speaking countries. - 005faa61, Jun 9, 2010

Well , yes I knew that in some countries la for ella y lo(not le , le is for unknown genders.) for él , but I also knew that it can be used for both.. So, there is nothing wrong but it's an extra information. But thank you indeed.. :) - culé, Jun 10, 2010