Te (le) or tí?

Question

When do I use te (le) and when do I use tí? Usually when I approach a Spanish-speaking customer at my job, I say "Qué le puedo hacer?". I asked my Puerto Rican friend if that is correct, and he laughed and told me that it sounds provocative and asked if I ever get strange looks. He said I should say "Qué puedo hacer para tí?" We consulted his Puerto Rican girlfriend who said that both are fine and that her boyfriend is being ridiculous. What is the difference between the two sentences? Have I been flirting with my customers???? XD

Answer 1

A really easy way to get out of trouble is to use one of these. By the way you use "le" with a person whom you address as "usted" and "te" with a person whom you address as "tú."

¿En qué le puedo ayudar?

Or

¿En qué puedo servirle?

Sí, suena mejor. - annierats, Feb 29, 2016

Now can you make it so it says, "What can I make for you?' meaning an ice cream product. I'd give it a try but this doesn't seem to be my day. - Jubilado, Feb 29, 2016

¿Qué quiere(s) que le/te prapare? (or "que le/te haga" ) - Daniela2041, Mar 1, 2016

Answer 2

Thanks guys! It's at an ice cream shop. My question isn't really about formal vs informal, more about the te/le vs para tí/usted, but I gather from this that I use te/le when the person is directly receiving the action of the verb (to you), and use tí/usted when it is for the person (for you)? Like, I'm not making the person into something, I'm making ice cream for the person, the ice cream is receiving the action of the verb "hacer", not the person. The person is receiving the noun that is receiving the verb, so I don't use te/le, I use para tí/usted. Am I understanding that right?

See my comment to Daniela and see if she responds. - Jubilado, Feb 29, 2016

I responded-as I always do when my name is invoked. :) - Daniela2041, Mar 1, 2016

And i respond when I see good manners and appreciation , so thanks for being both well mannered and appreciative. A vote from me , wish i could give more. - ray76, Mar 1, 2016

Answer 3

To me (not a fluent speaker of Spanish) the difference is like that between What can I do for you? and What can I do to you?

A big difference eh mate? - ray76, Mar 1, 2016

Answer 4

te toca a ti = it's your turn

How and why I have no idea.

se le toca, I think, if it is usted. - annierats, Mar 1, 2016

Answer 5

It does sound provocative (I'm a fluent speaker). jtaniel is right, ¿Qué le puedo hacer? = What can I do to you?

Suggested phrases:

¿En qué le/te puedo ayudar? ¿Le/te puedo ayudar en algo? ¿En qué le/te ayudo? Dígame/dime si necesita(s) algo, por favor. (I don´t really like these following two, but they could be also used) ¿Qué puedo hacer por usted/ti? ¿Le/te puedo servir en algo?

Answer 6

It may depend on what you are selling and to whom, but using the more polite formal (¿Qué le puedo hacer? - You can even add "para usted") would not sound provocative in my opinion. In my experience car salesmen are many times obnoxiously familiar with their customers in English, but I don't know how the Hispanic mind interprets the tutear usage in the market place. The only "funny" looks I suspect you will get is from people who are shocked to find such a gentleman. So take his girlfriend's advice, or just stay formal with your customers unless you plan to socialize with them as well.

Answer 7

En general el pronombre personal "ti" se usa con preposición:

¿Qué puedo hacer por ti? (What can I do for you?)

Esto es para ti. (This is for you)

Te estoy hablando a ti. (I am talking to you)

Todo depende de ti. (It is up to you)

Cuando se usa la preposición "con" se dice "contigo"

Quiero platicar contigo. (I want to talk with you)

Saludos!

Answer 8

Bumpingitnowforsureguys.