What is vosotros used for?

Question

my teacher says that we don't need to worry about it and it just is another way for nosotros. but i thought it was the same as saying 'you all' or ya'll.

Answer 1

Vosotros is NOT another way to say nosotros. Vosotros is the plural form of "tú." Tú means "you" but is infomal. You use it to talk to a pet, small child, friend, etc. Vosotros is "You all" or as we say down here in the south, "Ya'll." It is used the same way as tú but with a group. One thing to note is that it is only used in Spain. That's probably why your teacher said not to bother with it. In most countries, the only way to speak to a group is with "Ustedes."

Here is the reference article on personal pronouns which explains both "Vos" and "Vosotros", which are not the same thing.

thank you! very helpful - FreddyLovesMusic, Jan 30, 2012

Answer 2

It is not another form of "nosotros;" it is familiar plural form of "you," so you have the right idea. If you are not going to learn it, you should at least be familiar with it just in case you go to places where it is used, such as northern Spain.

thank you. yes she says not to learn it but i do on my own :) - FreddyLovesMusic, Jan 30, 2012

Answer 3

"Vosotros" is a conjugation that is not used in most of Latin America and even Spain. It is a line of the Spanish language that is used for a more informal communication between people. There are some Spanish speaking countries that still use part of this line of Spanish. Spain, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Costa Rica as far as I know. If you think about English the word "you" in Spanish, you'll immediately think of "Tú and usted" but there is a third one and it is "vos". That is the singular expression of the plural "vosotros". Link to this, is a whole line of Spanish that most people never teach, but that can be useful if you visit some of these countries. It is perfect Spanish, and it is part of the Spanish language that has been lost in most Spanish speaking countries. Every Spanish speaking country will understand it, but they would not use it. I use it everyday with my family (but the elders including parents) and with my buddies. It is not intended today to be used to talk to people that you do not have a very close relationship with and that are at your same level of authority. Examples:

• Vos decís, vos querés, vos, contás. = Usted/tu dice/s, usted/tu quiere/s, usted/tu cuenta/s, etc.
• Oh, and no, it is NOT equal to You all, or y'all. This is pure, Spanish, not slang or beat up language.