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.
usageA2v0.1.0
Explication
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.
Exemples
¿Usted es el propietario? Disculpe la molestia.
Are you the owner? Sorry to bother you.
Are you the owner? Sorry to bother you.
Région: global
Dale, tratame de vos nomás.
Go ahead, just use vos with me.
Go ahead, just use vos with me.
Région: global