SpanishLesson 5 of 5 in the course Varieties of Spanish

Spanish Voseo: Pronouns, Conjugations, Social Meaning, and Regional Variation

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces voseo, the use of vos and related verb forms to address one person. It explains how voseo relates to tuteo and surveys the regions where it is common.

Voseo is the use of vos as a second-person singular pronoun, usually with verb forms associated with vos. In many regions, it takes the place of tú and the corresponding tuteo verb forms. Voseo can also refer specifically to using vos verb conjugations while keeping tú as the subject pronoun.

All flashcards

Voseo
Using vos, often with associated verb forms, to address one person.
Verbal voseo
Using vos-associated verb conjugations, regardless of the subject pronoun.
Pronominal voseo
Using the pronoun vos, regardless of the verb conjugation.
Voseo after prepositions
Vos appears in phrases such as para vos and con vos.
Voseo and social meaning
Vos can signal familiarity or solidarity, but local conventions shape its use.

Quiz questions

  1. What distinguishes verbal voseo from pronominal voseo?Answer: Verbal voseo is defined by the conjugation; pronominal voseo is defined by using vos.
  2. How did vos acquire a singular honorific use in Spanish?Answer: A plural pronoun began to be used respectfully for one person in the Middle Ages.
  3. Which description best fits voseo in Argentina and Paraguay?Answer: It is predominant in both countries.
  4. In many voseante communities, what contrast may vos and usted express?Answer: Vos may signal familiarity, while usted may signal respect or social distance.
  5. Which negative-command forms are both reported in the Río de la Plata region?Answer: No mientas and no mintás.

Based on the Wikipedia article Voseo, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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