Chapter 1.3 - plural pronouns

Plural Pronouns

Spanish has more plural pronouns than English. The plural "you," in Spanish is ustedes. People in Latin America will say to address a group. In Spain, ustedes is also used but in formal situations, when addressing a group of people who are in authority or that you do not know. When talking to a group of peers, family members, or friends, people in Spain will use vosotros or vosotras depending on the gender of the people in the group. If the group is of mixed gender, vosotros will be used.

Spanish also has two ways to say we - nosotros or nosotras. There are also two ways to say they - ellos or ellas. Notice that the pronouns ending in -os are masculine and those ending in -as are feminine.

Nosotros, Nosotras - We, masculine and feminine

Vosotros, Vosotras - You, familiar plural – used in Spain  

Ustedes - You, plural – In Spain, formal, informal also in Latin America

Ellos, Ellas - They, masculine and feminine