tu
Lemma Details
Translation: your (singular informal)
Part of Speech: possessive adjective
Etymology: Tu comes from Latin 'tuus' (your), which derives from the second person singular pronoun 'tu' (you). This possessive adjective has remained remarkably stable throughout the evolution of Romance languages. The English cognate is found in the archaic 'thou' (you) and its possessive form 'thy/thine'. Unlike English, which has lost the informal/formal distinction in second person pronouns, Spanish maintains this important social distinction between 'tu' (informal) and 'su' (formal).
Commonality: 95%
Guessability: 80%
Register: informal
Mnemonics
- Think of 'tu' as 'two' (sounds similar) - it's between you and one other person, making it personal and informal.
- Remember that 'tu' has no accent mark, unlike the pronoun 'tú' (you).
- The phrase 'tu amigo' (your friend) emphasizes the personal connection implied by using 'tu'.
Synonyms
Cultural Context
The use of 'tu' versus the formal 'su' is a critical social distinction in Spanish. Using 'tu' implies familiarity, closeness, or addressing someone younger or of equal social status. In Spain and parts of Latin America, there has been a trend toward more widespread use of 'tu' in situations that traditionally called for the formal 'usted/su'. However, in countries like Colombia, the formal address remains more common. Inappropriate use of 'tu' can be considered disrespectful in certain contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Tu' (without accent) is the possessive adjective meaning 'your', while 'tú' (with accent) is the subject pronoun meaning 'you'.
This word:
Tu casa es grande.
Your house is big.
Confused word:
Tú eres alto.
You are tall.
Notes: The accent mark is crucial for distinguishing between these two words in written Spanish, though they sound identical in speech.
Mnemonic: The accent in 'tú' points UP to YOU (the subject), while 'tu' has no accent because it points to something that belongs to you.
Explanation: 'Tu' is the informal possessive adjective (your), while 'su' is the formal possessive adjective (your) or third-person possessive (his/her/their).
Notes: The choice between 'tu' and 'su' reflects the social relationship between speakers and can significantly impact how your speech is perceived.
Mnemonic: 'Tu' is shorter and more direct, like informal speech, while 'su' is more distant, like formal address.