you, you or you?

Question

can someone please explain the correct usage of......tu, te and ti.

Hello, welcome to the forum! - rac1, Nov 7, 2012

Answer 1

Tu is the subject form of you, singular, used for peers, those younger or very close to you.

Te is the indirect object pronoun (see Lesson 2.3) that ALWAYS must be there with the indirect object.

Tí/ti is the prespositional form of you (cited from 7 Language Dictionary, compiled by David Schumaker), as, para ti, for you. Sometimes I think it is the object form of you (but that is my opinion).

(11-09-12) Simple examples follow by LeslieW.

hmmm, good answer Saige,but please give a SIMPLE example . - bobbylee, Nov 7, 2012

Don't forget the accent tú and tu are two totally different words. Tú = you, whereas Tu = your. ;-) - DJ_Huero, Nov 7, 2012

Thanks DJ, I remembered that this morning. - SaigeSmith, Nov 9, 2012

Answer 2

Building on Saige's excellent response:

Tu is the subject form of you, singular, used for peers, those younger or very close to you.

Tú eres mi mejor amigo.

You are my best friend. ('You' is the subject)

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Te is the indirect object pronoun (see Lesson 2.3) that ALWAYS must be there with the indirect object.

Juan te compra un regalo.

Juan buys you a gift. ('you' are the indirect object recipient of the direct object 'a gift')

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Tí/ti is the prespositional form of you (cited from 7 Language Dictionary, compiled by David Schumaker), as, para ti, for you. Sometimes I think it is the object form of you (but that is my opinion).

El regalo is para tí.

The gift is for you. ('you' is the prepositional pronoun here, following the pronoun 'for')

Thanks Leslie and thanks to saige,............ I'm getting there!!! - bobbylee, Nov 7, 2012

Yes, thanks Leslie for the fabulous examples! - SaigeSmith, Nov 9, 2012