Subject pronouns are the building blocks of Spanish conversation. When you understand Spanish subject pronouns, you gain the power to express who’s performing actions in your sentences. Here’s what you need to know at a glance:
Quick Reference Table
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | yo | nosotros / nosotras |
| 2nd Person | ||
| • Informal | tú | vosotros / vosotras* |
| • Formal | usted | ustedes |
| 3rd Person | él / ella | ellos / ellas |
*Used primarily in Spain. Latin America uses ustedes for both formal and informal plural.
The Basics
Spanish subject pronouns change based on who you’re talking about and how many people are involved. They’re like the cast of characters in your Spanish sentences, each playing a specific role.
Singular Pronouns (One Person)
First Person: yo (I)
You use “yo” when talking about yourself. It’s always spelled with a lowercase letter unless it starts a sentence.
Example: Yo hablo español. (I speak Spanish.)
Second Person: tú / usted (you)
You have two options when addressing someone directly:
- “tú” for friends, family, and casual situations
- “usted” (often abbreviated as Ud.) for formal situations, with strangers, or to show respect
Examples: - Tú cantas muy bien. (You sing very well.)
- Usted tiene razón. (You are right.)
Third Person: él / ella (he/she)
Use these when talking about someone else:
- “él” for a male
- “ella” for a female
Examples: - Él vive en Madrid. (He lives in Madrid.)
- Ella es doctora. (She is a doctor.)
Plural Pronouns (Multiple People)
First Person Plural: nosotros / nosotras (we)
When including yourself in a group:
- “nosotros” for mixed groups or all-male groups
- “nosotras” for all-female groups
Example: Nosotros somos estudiantes. (We are students.)
Second Person Plural: vosotros / vosotras / ustedes (you all)
For addressing multiple people:
- “vosotros/vosotras” used in Spain (informal)
- “ustedes” used in Latin America (both formal and informal) and in Spain (formal)
Example: Ustedes hablan inglés. (You all speak English.)
Third Person Plural: ellos / ellas (they)
When referring to multiple people:
- “ellos” for all-male or mixed groups
- “ellas” for all-female groups
Example: Ellos van al cine. (They go to the movies.)
When to Skip the Pronoun
Unlike English, Spanish verbs change their form to show who’s performing the action. This means you can often skip the subject pronoun entirely. The meaning stays clear through the verb form:
- Hablo español. (I speak Spanish.)
- Viene mañana. (He/She comes tomorrow.)
Regional Differences
Spanish subject pronouns can vary by region:
- In Spain: All forms including vosotros/vosotras are used
- In Latin America: Vosotros/vosotras isn’t used; ustedes takes its place
- In parts of Latin America: “Vos” replaces “tú” as the informal singular “you”
Remember that Spanish subject pronouns are flexible tools. You’ll find yourself naturally dropping them in many situations as you become more comfortable with the language. The key is understanding when they add clarity or emphasis to your message.