nosotros/vosotros/ellos/ellas/ustedes

Subject Pronouns (Plural)

Foundations

Plural subject pronouns like 'nosotros' (we), 'vosotros/ustedes' (you all), and 'ellos/ellas' (they) identify the group performing a verb's action.

How It Works

In Spanish, just like in English, we use subject pronouns to say who is doing something. While singular pronouns refer to one person, plural pronouns refer to a group. Understanding these is the first step to building sentences about groups of people.

Here are the plural subject pronouns:

  • Nosotros / Nosotras (we): Used when the speaker is part of the group.
    • Nosotros is used for a group of all males or a mixed-gender group.
    • Nosotras is used for a group of all females.
  • Vosotros / Vosotras (you all): Used to address a group of people informally. This is primarily used in Spain.
    • Vosotros is for a group of all males or a mixed-gender group.
    • Vosotras is for a group of all females.
  • Ustedes (you all): Used to address a group of people. In Latin America, it's used in both formal and informal situations. In Spain, it's used only in formal situations. It does not change for gender.
  • Ellos / Ellas (they): Used to talk about a group of people.
    • Ellos is for a group of all males or a mixed-gender group.
    • Ellas is for a group of all females.

Why are they important?
The pronoun you choose tells the listener who you're talking about and changes the ending of the verb. For example, with the verb 'hablar' (to speak):
Nosotros hablamos. (We speak.)
Ellos hablan. (They speak.)

To learn the specific verb endings for these pronouns, see the patterns for -ar verbs, -er verbs, and -ir verbs.

Examples (5)

  1. Nosotros somos amigos.

    We are friends.

    Word by Word: We are friends.

  2. Vosotras estudiáis mucho.

    You all (informal, feminine, Spain) study a lot.

    Word by Word: You all study a lot.

  3. Ustedes viven en México.

    You all live in Mexico.

    Word by Word: You all live in Mexico.

  4. Ellos comen en el restaurante.

    They (masculine or mixed group) eat at the restaurant.

    Word by Word: They eat in the restaurant.

  5. Ellas leen un libro.

    They (feminine group) read a book.

    Word by Word: They read a book.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'vosotros' and 'ustedes'.

    Vosotros son de Argentina.
    Ustedes son de Argentina.

    'Vosotros' is used for informal 'you all' almost exclusively in Spain and takes its own verb form (sois). 'Ustedes' is used in all other Spanish-speaking regions for 'you all' (and for formal address in Spain) and uses the same verb form as 'ellos/ellas' (son).

  • Using the masculine form for an all-female group.

    Ana y Sofía... ellos son hermanas.
    Ana y Sofía... ellas son hermanas.

    If the group you are referring to is made up of only females, you must use the feminine pronouns 'nosotras', 'vosotras', or 'ellas'. Use the masculine forms ('nosotros', 'vosotros', 'ellos') for all-male or mixed-gender groups.

How It Connects

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nosotros/vosotros/ellos/ellas/ustedesFoundationsSubject Pronouns (Plural)

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Words in This Pattern

nosotrosellasél