‘Tu’ and ‘su’ are possessive adjectives in Spanish. As a learner, understanding when to use each one can be confusing, especially for beginners. However, once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to use these adjectives with confidence.
“Tu” is the informal way of saying “your,” while “su” is the formal one. The same people you’d use “tú” with, you’d also use “tu,” and the same applies to “usted” and “su.” For example, if you’re talking to a friend, you’d use “tu” to say “tu coche” (your car), but if you’re talking to your boss, you’d use “su” to say “su oficina” (your office).
So, when should you use “tu” and when should you use “su”? The answer depends on the context of the conversation. In general, you should use “tu” when speaking to someone you know well, such as a friend or family member. Use “su” when speaking to someone you don’t know well, or when you want to show respect, such as when speaking to a teacher or a stranger.
What are ‘Tu’ and ‘Su’ in Spanish?
In Spanish, ‘tu’ and ‘su’ are both possessive adjectives used to indicate ownership. ‘Tu’ is the informal way of saying “your,” while ‘su’ is the formal one. You use ‘tu’ when referring to someone you are familiar with, such as a friend, family member, or someone your own age or younger. On the other hand, ‘su’ is used when speaking to someone who is older, has a higher social status, or when you want to show respect.
It is important to note that ‘tu’ and ‘su’ are second-person pronouns, which means that they are used to refer to the person you are addressing directly. For example, if you are speaking to your friend, you would say “tu libro” (your book). However, if you are speaking to your boss, you would say “su libro” (your book).
‘Su’ is also the possesive for él and ella; ellos, ellas and ustedes. The context will always help you to understand which one it is.
Singular vs Plural
The first thing to consider is whether you are referring to a singular or plural subject. For singular subjects, you would use “tu” to indicate possession. For example, “tu libro” would mean “your book.” On the other hand, if you are referring to a plural subject, you would use “sus” to indicate possession. For instance, “sus libros” would mean “your books.”
| Pronouns | Singular | Plural | English |
| yo | mi | mis | my |
| tú | tu | tus | your |
| él / ella / usted | su | sus | his / her |
| vos* | tu | tus | your |
| nosotros / -as | nuestro / -a | nuestros / -as | our |
| ellos / -as / ustedes | su | sus | their |
| vosotros / -as | vuestro/-a | vuestros/-as | your |
Sentence Examples in Context
Here ayou have a few sentence examples to see these words:
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ¿Puedo ver su entrada señor? | Can I see your ticket? |
| Tu casa es muy bonita. | Your house is very beautiful. |
| Vimos a tu hermano en el cine. | We saw your brother at the cinema. |
| ¿Puedo ver tu libro? | Can I see your book? |
| Tu familia es encantadora. | Your family is charming. |
| Su nombre es Juan. | His/Her name is Juan. |
| Su trabajo es interesante. | His/Her/Your job is interesting. |
| Buenos días Sr. López, su habitación ya está lista. | Good morning, your room is ready. |
| Señora, puede dejar su abrigo aquí. | Madam, you can leave your coat here. |
| ¿Cómo está su día? | How is your day? |
Possessive Adjectives Practise in Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ‘tú’ and ‘usted’ in terms of formality?
In Spanish, ‘tú‘ is the informal way of addressing someone, while ‘usted‘ is the formal way. You would use ‘tú’ when talking to a friend, family member, or someone younger than you. ‘Usted’, on the other hand, is used when addressing someone older, someone you don’t know well, or someone in a position of authority.
How do you distinguish between possessive pronouns ‘tu’ and ‘su’ in Spanish?
‘Tu‘ is the possessive adjective used with ‘tú‘, which means ‘your’ in English. ‘Su‘, on the other hand, is the possessive adjective used with ‘usted’, ‘él’, ‘ella’, and ‘ellos’ or ‘ellas’, which means ‘his’, ‘her’, ‘its’, ‘your’ (formal), or ‘their’ in English.
When should you use the accent mark on ‘tú’ in Spanish?
The accent mark on ‘tú‘ is used to distinguish it from the Spanish word ‘tu’, which means ‘your’ (as an adjective). You should use the accent mark on ‘tú’ when it is used as a subject pronoun, for example: ‘Tú eres mi amigo‘ (You are my friend).
How do you translate ‘su’ into English?
‘Su’ can be translated into English as ‘his’, ‘her’, ‘its’, ‘your’ (formal), or ‘their’, depending on the context in which it is used. For example: ‘Su casa es grande’ can be translated as ‘His/Her/Their/Your (formal) house is big’.
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