🤯 Tu vs usted in Spanish: Which one should you use in Spain 🇪🇸?

Mónica Jiménez January 7 2026

If you’re learning Spanish, this question will appear sooner or later… 😅
👉 tú or usted?

They both mean you, but choosing the wrong one can make you sound:

😬 too serious
❄️ too distant
🤖 not very Spanish

Let’s fix that and help you sound more natural 🇪🇸👇

tu vs usted in spanish

🤔 What is the difference between tú and usted in Spanish?

The difference is not only grammar 📚
It’s also about formality, tone and how Spaniards actually speak in real life.

If this is something you struggle with, this guide will really help you 👉 formal vs informal Spanish

🟢 tú → informal, friendly, relaxed
🔵 usted → formal, polite, distant

🟢 When do you use tú?

You use tú when you speak to:

👯 friends
👨‍👩‍👧 family
🧑 people your age
💼 colleagues you know well
☕ basically… most people in Spain 😄

Example 👇

👉 ¿Cómo estás? 😊
(How are you?)

🗣️

0:01

🔵 When do you use usted?

You use usted when you speak to:

👵 older people
🤝 someone you don’t know
👮‍♂️ authority figures
🏛️ very formal situations

Example 👇

👉 ¿Cómo está usted? 🙂
(How are you? – formal)

🗣️

0:01

⚠️ Grammar alert 🚨

👉 usted uses the same verb form as él / ella, not tú.

🇪🇸 Should I use usted in Spain?

Short answer 👉 not very often 😅

In Spain, Spanish is generally informal and relaxed.

This is what really happens 👇

☕ In bars and cafés → tú
🛍️ In shops → tú
🏋️ At the gym → tú
💼 At work → usually tú
🏛️ In official situations → usted

💡 If you’re not sure → tú is usually safe in Spain 👍

📊 Is tú or usted more common?

Let’s be honest 😄

👑 tú is the clear winner in Spain

🌍 In Latin America → it depends on the country
🇪🇸 In Spain → tú, tú and more tú

If you’re learning Spanish for Spain, focus on tú first and understand usted, but don’t stress too much 😉

🧠 What should I use as a beginner?

This is one of the most common beginner worries 👀

Here’s a simple rule you can trust 👇

🧑 Talking to someone your age or younger → tú
☕ In cafés, shops, gyms → tú
💼 In relaxed work environments → tú
👴 Talking to elderly people → usted
🏛️ Paperwork, official stuff → usted

And remember 💡

If someone starts with tú, you can reply with tú.
Spanish people won’t be offended — they’ll appreciate the effort 💚

🇪🇸 What do Spaniards REALLY say in daily life?

This is the Spanish you actually hear 👂👇

☕ ¿Qué te pongo?
(What can I get you?)

🗣️