Formal us/we ("vos/vosotros")

Question

I lived in Mexico in the late 60's during my high school years. I took Spanish class all four years. We were taught the formal version of us/we ("vos/vosotros"). We were taught to include this form when conjugating all verbs. But in all the years I've spoken Spanish I've never heard these verb forms used. Are they used any more or can I Shift-Del them?!

Do I get a badge for worst question ever?! 4 years of Spanish - must've slept alot in class! :-) - musicat, Jan 30, 2012

Answer 1

Are you referring to the "vosotros" form (the plural familiar "you") that is used in Spain? ["Nosotros" is the "we" form].

I believe that it was quite common for lessons to include the "vosotros" form in verb conjugations, but it is less common now, since the form is not commonly used in countries other than Spain. It is, however, in everyday use in Spain.

As to whether to delete or not, it is a question of personal preference, although knowledge of the "vosotros" form is useful if you read any material printed in Spain.

Good. I can't believe I didn't even catch the nosotros/we thing. - Goldie_Miel, Jan 26, 2012

Thanks, sorry - it's been awhile, just playing catch up now! - musicat, Jan 26, 2012

Answer 2

Vosotros (and the pronoun os) is still very much used in Spain. Not really anywhere else (that I know of). Vos is used in a lot of countries. By the way, I thought "vosotros" was informal...?

Got lots of help on this one, thank you! - musicat, Jan 26, 2012