Does anyone speak Spanish and Hindi?

Question

I am very very sorry, this is not a Spanish question but I'm trying to learn something about Hindi in terms of Spanish and this seemed like the best and most trustworthy collection of Spanish speakers.

Hindi, like Spanish and unlike English, has different 2nd-person pronouns based on levels of respect or courtesy. Unlike Spanish, Hindi has 3, and I don't understand when you use which ones.

Can anyone explain to me tu, tum, and ap in terms of tú and usted? It would be a great help, thank you!

Hindi, como español, tiene niveles de respeto en pronombres. Sin embargo, tiene tres y yo no entiendo cuando usar cual pronombre. Es posible explicar tu, tum, y ap usando tú y usted? Muchas gracias!

Or Urdu! Hindi or Urdu, either works for me! - bailarina95, Dec 28, 2011

Answer 1

Ok!

I am a little hesitant to compare tu, tum, and aap to tú and usted, and I'll get to why in a little while. Let me compare the 3 in terms of "formality".

Most formal: Aap

I guess, if you really wanted to make comparisons, this would be usted.

In the middle: Tum

Again, if you really wanted, this would be tú.

Least formal: Tu

I was thinking about putting this as tú, but I didn't because nobody I speak Urdu with ever uses tu. They use tum. In fact, I think someone once told me this was almost considered an insult. Best to just stay away from it

I was hesitant to make these comparisons because:

With tú and usted, you typically would start using tú with a close family member who just happens to be an elder. For me, though, even though I am very close with my grandma, I still use aap with her. You see what I am saying?

Also, tú is used for younger people usually. However, sometimes my older brother uses aap with me, and I am 6 years younger than him. So..eehhh, they are hard to compare!

But I really hope I helped you, Bailarina!

I think so. I think Spanish uses them to show mostly formality, and Hindi and Urdu use them to show respect as well. Is that about right? - bailarina95, Dec 28, 2011

Very well put, Bailarina! - SonrisaDelSol, Dec 28, 2011

So I would use tum with my boyfriend and his sister and aap with his parents? - bailarina95, Dec 28, 2011

Definitely aap for his parents, tum is good for your boyfriend, and for his sister...hmm, that's a tough one. I'd go with aap for now. Are you friends with his sister? - SonrisaDelSol, Dec 28, 2011

Answer 2

Aap(??)- formal/official Tum(???)- in middle/ stranger Tu(??)- informal/ talking with friends

Answer 3

Yes, use aap for someone whom you have formal relations with (Usted/Ustedes). Use tum (like vosotros but in the singular form) for someone who you know fairly closely like a friend, and for a best friend, sister, or brother you can use tu. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I speak some Urdu and we still use tum and aap. Can I still help you even though it's not Hindi?

Definitely, I've been getting a lot of help from Urdu-speakers. Thanks! - bailarina95, Dec 28, 2011