I have an assignment to write the subject pronoun that you would use when addressing a person and then what pronoun you would use when talking about them. I am totally confused and cant find help in my text.
looks like this:
Don francisco
Maite y Ines
Ines y Alex
la profesora
un estudiante etc....
You need to know whom you are addressing. If you are not on a first-name basis, use Usted. If you are on a first-name basis, use tú.
Don Francisco = Usted to him, él about him
Maite y Inés = Ustedes (unless your text book uses "vosotros/vosotras" in speaking to them. You need to know if Maite is a girl = Ellas; or a boy = Ellos
Inés y Alex = Ustedes (or vosotros) to them and Ellos about them
la profesora = Usted to her but Ella about her
un estudiante = tú (if you are also a student and you are on a first-name basis) to him but él about him.
Subject Pronouns are
yo = I
tú = you (singular, familiar)
él = he (or it for a masculine noun such as libro)
ella = she (or it for a feminine noun such as casa)
nosotros = WE (all males or one male and many females
nosotros = WE (all females)
ellos = they (people or things all masculine or one male and many females
ellas = they (people or things, but all female)
Talking ABOUT someone is probably
él = he/it
ella = she/it
ellos = they
ellas = they
Sra
In the case of Maite, there are no confusion. Maite is a name of a woman (nobody call a man Maite, no in México, everyone laugh of his name, it´s impossible), you must use "ellas".
In the case of Alex, you can use ellas o ellos, you must know his/her gender.
And, you must use "nosotras" if all are females.
My english is not good enough.
"you must know it gender" I guess
To determine the subject pronoun to use when addressing a person and the pronoun to use when talking about them, you need to understand the concept of subject and object pronouns. Subject pronouns are used when the person is performing the action, while object pronouns are used when the person is receiving the action.
Let's break down the examples you provided:
1. Don Francisco:
- Subject pronoun when addressing: You would use "usted" (formal singular "you") to address him respectfully.
- Object pronoun when talking about him: You would use "él" (he) to refer to him.
2. Maite y Ines:
- Subject pronoun when addressing: You would use "ustedes" (formal plural "you") to address them respectfully.
- Object pronoun when talking about them: You would use "ellas" (they) to refer to them.
3. Ines y Alex:
- Subject pronoun when addressing: You would use "ustedes" (formal plural "you") to address them respectfully.
- Object pronoun when talking about them: You would use "ellos" (they) to refer to them.
4. La profesora:
- Subject pronoun when addressing: You would use "usted" (formal singular "you") to address her respectfully.
- Object pronoun when talking about her: You would use "ella" (she) to refer to her.
5. Un estudiante:
- Subject pronoun when addressing: You would use "tú" (informal singular "you") to address him casually.
- Object pronoun when talking about him: You would use "él" (he) to refer to him.
It's important to note that the choice of subject pronouns could vary depending on the level of formality and context.