Formal & Informal Spanish Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the difference between formal and informal Spanish?
Formal Spanish is used in professional or respectful settings, while informal Spanish is used with friends, family, and peers
Formal “you” in Spanish
Usted (singular) and ustedes (plural) are used in formal situations. Example: ¿Cómo está usted? (How are you?)
Informal “you” in Spanish
Tú (singular) and vosotros (plural, used in Spain) are used in casual conversations. Example: ¿Cómo estás tú? (How are you?)
When should you use usted instead of tú?
Use usted when speaking to professionals, elders, or strangers
When should you use tú instead of usted?
Use tú when speaking to friends, family, or children
Difference between te and le
Te is informal, while le is formal. Example: ¿Cómo te va? (How are you doing? - informal) vs. ¿Cómo le va? (How are you doing? - formal)
What are commands in Spanish?
Commands are used to give direct orders or instructions. They can be affirmative (telling someone to do something) or negative (telling someone not to do something).
Formal vs. Informal Commands
Formal: Used with usted and ustedes for politeness or respect.
Informal: Used with tú and vosotros for casual conversations.
How to form affirmative formal commands
Start with the yo form of the present tense.
Drop the -o ending.
Add the following endings:
-ar verbs: -e (usted), -en (ustedes)
-er/-ir verbs: -a (usted), -an (ustedes) Example: Hablar → hable (usted), hablen (ustedes)
How to form negative formal commands
Follow the same steps as affirmative formal commands.
Add “no” before the verb. Example: No hable (usted), no hablen (ustedes)
How to form affirmative informal commands
Use the third-person singular form of the present tense. Example: Hablar → habla (tú)
How to form negative informal commands
Start with the yo form of the present tense.
Drop the -o ending.
Add the following endings:
-ar verbs: -es
-er/-ir verbs: -as
Add “no” before the verb. Example: No hables (tú)
Irregular formal commands
Some verbs have irregular forms in commands:
Decir → diga, digan
Ver → vea, vean
Saber → sepa, sepan
Hacer → haga, hagan
Ir → vaya, vayan
Dar → dé, den
Estar → esté, estén
Ser → sea, sean
What are informal commands in Spanish?
Commands used in casual conversations with friends, family, or peers.
How to form affirmative informal commands
Use the third-person singular form of the present tense. Example: Hablar → habla (Speak), Comer → come (Eat), Vivir → vive (Live).
Irregular affirmative informal commands
Some verbs have unique forms:
Decir → di (Say)
Hacer → haz (Do/Make)
Ir → ve (Go)
Poner → pon (Put)
Salir → sal (Leave)
Ser → sé (Be)
Tener → ten (Have)
Venir → ven (Come)
Irregular negative informal commands
Some verbs have irregular forms:
No digas (Don’t say)
No hagas (Don’t do/make)
No vayas (Don’t go)
No pongas (Don’t put)
No salgas (Don’t leave)
No seas (Don’t be)
No tengas (Don’t have)
No vengas (Don’t come)
Using pronouns with informal commands
Affirmative: Attach pronouns to the end of the command (Dímelo → Tell it to me).
Negative: Place pronouns before the verb (No me lo digas → Don’t tell it to me).
