Spanish word

tutear

Pronunciation

IPA/tuteˈaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbuse the informal you

Example

¿Me puedes tutear?

Can you use the informal you with me?

Illustration for tutear (use the informal you)

More examples

Cuando no estás seguro, es mejor preguntar antes de tutear.

When you're not sure, it's better to ask before addressing someone informally.

Core concept

Using tú instead of usted when addressing a person.

Common phrases

  • tutear entre amigos

    address friends informally

  • tutear a un desconocido

    address a stranger informally

  • tutear con profesores jóvenes

    address young professors informally

Similar words

ustedear: Speaks to someone using usted to signal polite, formal relations.
vosear: Speaks to someone using vos where that pronoun is customary as the informal you.
tratar: Interacts with someone in a particular manner or form of address.

Definition in Spanish

Tratar a una persona usando la forma «tú» en lugar de «usted», mostrando confianza o familiaridad.

Word origin

Formed by attaching the productive Spanish suffix -ear to tú, which creates verbs meaning to treat or address someone with that form.

Usage tips

  • In formal situations and with older or unfamiliar people, speakers usually stick with usted until the other person offers tú.

Other meanings

  • speak familiarlyverb

Opposites

  • ustedearuse formal addressverb

Related words

  • tuteoinformal addressnoun

Word lists with this word