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Formal versus Informal Modes of Address Part two

One of the unique things about learning to speak spanish is that you have a choice of whether or not you are going to address someone else with respect or familiarity. There are actually four words for the word “you” in Spanish!

tú informal, singular
usted formal, singular
vosotros informal, plural (e.g., “you guys”)
ustedes formal, plural (e.g., “you all”)

Right now, the important thing to realize is that the question, “How are you?” can be different change according to which “you” you desire to use. If you’re asking a just one person how he is, you’ll choose between the following.

¿Cómo estás? How are Informal, used among friends
¿Cómo está usted? How are you? Formal, used with elders, superiors, or people you don’t know

The very initial question is used in the conversation above between me and my friend Amee. Since we are, we use the nonchalant l mode of address each other. If, however, I was addressing someone I’d never met before out of respect I would have said ,
¿Cómo está usted?

It means pretty much the exact same thing , except that in this way it implies a larger degree of respectfulness and formality.

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No, Really, HOW are You?
If there is a person that ask you, “¿Cómo estás?” you have a variety of responses you can use. Here are some of the most common.

Estoy bien means I am well.
Estoy muy bien means I am very well.

Estoy enfermo. (use if you’re male)which means I am sick.
Estoy enferma. (use if you’re female)

Estoy cansado. (use if you’re male) I am tired.
Estoy cansada. (use if you’re female)

Estoy aburrido. (use if you’re male) which means I am bored.
Estoy aburrida. (use if you’re female)

Oh me oh my! I guess it is not very usual to say that you’re bored and not really very polite at all. But you never know when you might be getting bored sitting in a yawning Spanish class !

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