Lesson 3: Subject Pronouns

3.1

Spanish Pronouns

VS.

In English, we use different subject pronouns to indicate who does the action. For example, we can say I walk or he walks. Spanish also has subject pronouns. Check this out:

3.2

Masculine vs. Feminine Plurality

Masculine

VS.

Feminine

Traditionally the gendered plural pronouns are used as follows:

1. nosotros/vosotros/ellos - refers to a group of males OR a group of males & females
2. nosotras/vosotras/ellas - refers to a group of females

3.3

Use of Usted, Ustedes

Tú, Vosotros

VS.

Usted, Ustedes

In Spanish, usted and ustedes are used to mean you and you all when speaking in a formal situation and when speaking to a person of higher social standing.* In English saying sir or ma’am is the closest thing we have to usted and ustedes. In Latin America, ustedes, however, is the only way to say you all.

* This is relative to each person and varies by communities. Do your best to learn about the norms of the communities that you are a part of or that you visit.

3.4

Use of Vosotros, Vosotras

Used here

VS.

Not used here

In Spanish, vosotros or vosotras mean you all when talking to friends or families or peers. These pronouns are used in Spain, but not in Latin America.

3.5

Pronoun Expression

Finally, in English we have to use these pronouns all the time. In Spanish, as in many other languages, we can leave that pronoun out once we have established in the conversation just who we are talking about. The verb (most of the time) has all the information we need built right in!

English

VS.

Spanish

In Spanish, compro can only mean that I (yo) am the one doing the buying. In English, the corresponding verb form, buy, is used with I, you, we, and they. As a beginner, it might be good to use the pronouns to help you practice. As you continue on your path to becoming a VerbMaster, you can begin to experiment with leaving them out in your conversations! In the practice sessions, we use them to clue you in to the right form.