usage.tu-usted-choice
Tú, vos, or usted: picking the right 'you'
Usted for elders, officials, clients, and first contacts with strangers; tú/vos among peers, youth, and family. When unsure, start with usted and let them downgrade.
⚠ Stub: AI-drafted outline, not yet reviewed. The structure is permanent; the content will be expanded.
usageA2stubdraftv0.1.0
Explanation
The safe algorithm: usted to anyone older, in authority, or serving you formally; switch when invited (tutéame / tratame de vos) or when they use tú/vos first. Whole regions skew formal (Bogotá uses usted even with friends) or informal (Spain defaults to tú fast).
In voseo countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Central America), vos occupies the tú slot; the usted rules are unchanged. Mixing in one conversation is normal during the transition.
Examples
Are you the owner? Sorry to bother you.
Region: global
Go ahead, just use vos with me.
Region: global