os
Lemma Details
Translation: you (plural object); to you (plural); yourselves
Part of Speech: pronoun
Etymology: Os comes from Latin 'vos', which was the accusative form of the second-person plural pronoun. Over time, the initial 'v' was dropped in Spanish, resulting in 'os'. This pronoun is used exclusively as a direct or indirect object pronoun for the second person plural in informal contexts, particularly in Spain where 'vosotros' is used (rather than 'ustedes' which is more common in Latin America).
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 30%
Register: informal
Mnemonics
- Think of 'os' as the 'O' in 'yOu' to remember it refers to 'you'.
- Remember that 'os' is short and so is 'you' in English - both are compact object pronouns.
Synonyms
Cultural Context
The pronoun 'os' is primarily used in Spain with the 'vosotros' form. In most Latin American countries, where 'ustedes' is used instead of 'vosotros', 'os' is not used at all, and 'les' is used instead. Understanding this regional difference is important for learners adapting to different Spanish-speaking contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Os' is the informal plural object pronoun (used with 'vosotros'), while 'les' is the formal plural object pronoun (used with 'ustedes').
Confused word:
Les invito a mi casa.
I invite you all to my house. (formal)
Notes: In most of Latin America, 'os' is not used at all since 'vosotros' is not used there.
Mnemonic: 'Os' is used in Spain with 'vosotros'; 'les' is used everywhere with 'ustedes'.
Explanation: 'Os' refers to 'you all' (second person plural), while 'nos' refers to 'us' (first person plural).
Confused word:
Nos esperan aquí.
They are waiting for us here.
Notes: Both are object pronouns but refer to different persons.
Mnemonic: Think 'O' for 'Others' (you) and 'N' for 'Nosotros' (us).