vosotrosVosotras

Vosotros and vosotras are the second-person plural informal pronouns in Spanish. In Spain, they are used to address a group of people you know well: "vosotros" for a mixed-gender or all-male group, and "vosotras" for an all-female group. Outside Spain, the pronoun ustedes serves as the standard second-person plural for both informal and formal contexts.

Usage and regional variation

Vosotros/vosotras are primarily used in informal situations among friends, family, coworkers, or peers. In Latin America, ustedes is the dominant form for both informal and formal address, and vosotros/vosotras are generally not used. Some Spanish-speaking regions with close ties to Spain may retain vosotros in informal speech, but standard reference varies by country and community.

Conjugation overview

In the present tense, the forms are: vosotros habláis, coméis, vivís. In the preterite: hablasteis, comisteis, vivisteis. In the imperfect: habíais, comíais, vivíais. The present subjunctive: habléis, comáis, viváis. The affirmative imperative for vosotros is hablad (hablar), comed (comer), vivid (vivir); the negative imperative is no habléis, no comáis, no viváis. Pronouns for objects and reflexives use os: "¿Cómo os llamáis?" or "Vosotros os llamáis Pedro y Ana." Adjectives and past participles agree with the gender of the group (vosotros vs vosotras).

Relation to ustedes

Ustedes is the formal (and now common) second-person plural pronoun in most Spanish-speaking regions. It uses third-person plural verb forms: ustedes hablan, comen, viven. The choice between vosotros/vosotras and ustedes reflects regional norms and levels of formality.

History and notes

Vosotros/vosotras derive from historical second-person plural forms and have long been standard in Spain for informal address. The spread of ustedes in many regions has reduced their use outside Spain.