Formal vs Informal

Question

I am confused about 'te', is this formal or informal. Why?

Thanks for any info. or direction.

Answer 1

I suggest you have a look at
[url=http://learnspanish.spanishdict.com/forum/topic/show'id=1710195%3ATopic%3A13904]http://learnspanish.spanishdict.com/forum/topic/show'id=1710195%3ATopic%3A13904[/url]
also known as
Una pregunta sobre "tú," cuando usiendo (using ') la llama de una persona.
in the forum home page

Answer 2

Thanks Dave - whoops!

Answer 3

"Usted or Vd. is the polite or Informal way of saying YOU; used when talking to a policeman, an older person or someone you would normally be quite reserved with."

I think you meant "Usted is the polite or FORMAL way of saying you...."

Answer 4

Hi Melissa (and Rebecca)!

You can say 'you' in lots of ways in Spanish according to the person/persons you are addressing.

Sorry I can't get accents on with this keyboard (yet) but here goes........

tu
Vd. (Usted/) (Ud.)
Vosotros
Vosotras
Vds. (Ustedes) (Uds.)

Good isn't it? It is quite interesting that the pronoun 'Vd. ', which is the polite form of YOU (singular) has its origins in the old Spanish Vuestra Merced for Your Mercy, presumably said as you bow your head to the ground without giving your back to the illustrious personage you are addressing! It used to be said in its complete form as "Vuestra Merced" which slowly became pronounced as Usted as it was said faster and faster because it is a bit of a mouthful . However, it still kept its written form of V.............d. Which became its official abbreviation. So, in fact, nothing to do with sexually transmitted diseases after all! Usted or Vd. is the polite or Informal way of saying YOU; used when talking to a policeman, an older person or someone you would normally be quite reserved with.

The basic meaning of Tu (with accent) (which is the familiar 'you ' form, for friends, family and people of your own set/generation or for younger people), has given rise to our word "tutorial" with the suggestion that it is a small and informal group of learners.
Cheers
Alison

Answer 5

Thank you very much. I am new to this site...I am so lovin' it!

Answer 6

Te is informal and is used around friends or people your age that u feel comfortable with. Le is used around people you dont know in order to show respect.