Subject pronouns in Spanish are words that replace the subject of a sentence. They indicate who is performing the action and are essential for verb conjugation and sentence structure.
Spanish subject pronouns are used to indicate who is performing the action in a sentence, replacing the subject noun. They are essential for verb conjugations and clarifying meaning.
- Subject pronouns usually appear before the verb.
- They can be omitted in Spanish because verb endings often indicate the subject.
- Pronouns are used for emphasis or clarity, especially in ambiguous contexts.
Singular Pronouns
Spanish singular subject pronouns refer to one person or thing. They include forms for “I,” “you” (informal), and “he/she/you” (formal).
- Yo = I
- Tú = You (informal)
- Él = He
- Ella = She
- Usted = You (formal)
___ hablas inglés.
What is the Spanish subject pronoun for 'you' (informal singular)?
Tú
'Tú' is the informal singular pronoun for 'you' used in most of Spain and Latin America (except some regions).
Plural Pronouns
Spanish plural subject pronouns refer to more than one person. They include forms for “we,” “you all,” and “they.”
- Nosotros/Nosotras = We (masculine/feminine)
- Vosotros/Vosotras = You all (informal, Spain)
- Ellos/Ellas = They (masculine/feminine)
- Ustedes = You all (formal in Spain; standard in Latin America)
___ vamos al parque.
What is the Spanish subject pronoun for 'we' (masculine or mixed group)?
Nosotros
'Nosotros' is the first-person plural pronoun for 'we' when the group is all male or mixed gender.
Pronoun Usage
In Spanish, subject pronouns are often omitted because verb endings indicate the subject. Pronouns are used for emphasis, clarification, or contrast.
- Omission: “Hablo” (I speak) vs. “Yo hablo” (I speak) — “yo” is optional.
- Emphasis: “Yo hablo” (I do speak) vs. “Él habla” (He speaks).
- Clarity: Used when the subject is ambiguous or has changed.
Special Cases
Some Spanish subject pronouns have regional or stylistic variations. “Vos” is used in parts of Latin America instead of “tú.” “Ustedes” replaces “vosotros” outside Spain.
- Vos: Informal “you” in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Central America.
- Vosotros/Vosotras: Informal plural “you” in Spain only.
- Ustedes: Universal plural “you” in Latin America, formal in Spain.
Summary
Spanish subject pronouns are:
| Pronoun | Meaning | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | I | Always singular 1st person |
| Tú | You (informal) | Singular, used in most of Spain and Latin America |
| Él/Ella | He/She | Singular 3rd person |
| Usted | You (formal) | Singular, polite form |
| Nosotros/Nosotras | We | Plural 1st person (gendered) |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | You all (informal) | Plural, used in Spain only (gendered) |
| Ellos/Ellas | They | Plural 3rd person (gendered) |
| Ustedes | You all | Plural, formal in Spain, standard in Latin America |
Note: *“Vos” replaces “tú” in some regions.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
