As an English speaker learning European Portuguese, you’ll quickly discover a fascinating nuance: unlike the one-size-fits-all “you,” Portuguese has multiple ways to say it, depending on the situation. Mastering this is key to sounding natural and respectful!
The Basics: Tu vs. Você vs. O Senhor/A Senhora
Portuguese has three main levels of formality for addressing someone directly:
- Informal: “Tu” (singular) and “Vocês” (plural)
- For close friends, family, children, or casual settings.
- Formal: “Você” (singular) and “Vocês” (plural)
- For strangers, acquaintances, or showing general respect.
- Very Formal: “O Senhor” / “A Senhora” (singular) and “Os Senhores” / “As Senhoras” (plural)
- For older individuals, authority figures, or in professional contexts.
Examples in Action
- Tu: “Tu gostas de café?” (Do you like coffee? – to a friend)
- Você: “Você pode me ajudar, por favor?” (Can you help me, please? – to a stranger)
- O Senhor: “O senhor gostaria de marcar uma consulta?” (Would you like to schedule an appointment, sir? – to an older gentleman)
Vocês: This can be both formal and informal, depending on the context.
Verb Forms Change, Too!
It’s not just the pronouns; the way you conjugate verbs also changes with formality:
- Tu falas (You speak – informal)
- Você fala (You speak – formal)
- O senhor fala (You speak – very formal)
Practice Makes Perfect!
Ready to try it out? Translate these, paying attention to formality:
- Do you want some coffee? (to your roommate)
- Can you help me, please? (to a shop assistant)
- Have you finished your work? (to your professor)
- Are you all ready to leave? (to a group of friends)
- Would you like to see the menu? (to an elderly couple in a restaurant)
Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them!)
- Mixing and Matching: Don’t use “tu” with formal verb forms, or vice-versa.
- Consistency is Key: Once you’ve chosen a level of formality, stick with it throughout the conversation.
With practice, you’ll soon be using “you” like a native! Pay attention to how Portuguese speakers address each other, and don’t hesitate to ask if you’re unsure which pronoun to use.
Next: European Portuguese Subject Pronouns