That's because Spanish, like many other languages, has several different ways that you can address other people, all of which can be translated by the English word "you."

First and most obvious, there are singular and plural forms, which aren't distinguished in the English word, although we can usually tell which is meant. But more important to learning how the Spanish language is used, Spanish also has formal and informal (also called "familiar") ways of saying "you," the usage depending on the person you're talking to and/or the circumstances. The difference doesn't come across in translating to English, but if you use the informal "you" where the formal is required, you run the risk of sounding presumptuous or even arrogant.

First, here is a chart showing the various ways of saying "you" as the subject of a sentence:

One reason for knowing which form of "you" to use is that there are corresponding words for "your" and "yours" as well as for "you" when it isn't the subject of a sentence. Also, Spanish uses different verb forms for the informal and formal usages, with the informal forms taking a second-person conjugation while the formal forms take a third-person conjugation (the same used for the equivalents of "he," "she," and "they").

The basic rule: As a general rule — although keep in mind that there are exceptions — when speaking with one person you can use the informal forms under roughly the same circumstances where you can use a person's first name in English. Of course, when that is can vary with age, social status and the specific culture you are in.

More specifically, the singular informal <em>tú</em> is used when speaking with family members, children, pets, friends or close acquaintances, while <em>usted</em> is used when speaking with others. In most types of Christianity, at least, <em>tú</em> also is used when addressing God in prayer. <em>Tú</em> can also be used contemptuously when speaking to a stranger.

Obviously, the use of <em>tú</em> suggests a certain amount of intimacy. But the degree of intimacy varies with region. In some places, people of similar social status will start using <em>tú</em> upon meeting, while in other areas doing so might seem presumptuous. If you're uncertain which to use, it is usually better to use <em>usted</em> unless until the person starts speaking to you using <em>tú</em>, in which case it is usually OK to reciprocate (unless you're a child or the person speaking to you is a police officer or other authority figure). Spanish even has a verb, <em>tutear</em>, meaning to address someone using <em>tú</em>. In a few areas, as in much of Colombia, <em>usted</em> is used even with close friends and family members.

Plurals: In Latin America, the informal plural, <em>vosotros</em>, is seldom used, even when talking with family members, so <em>ustedes</em> is used in plural cases. In Spain, <em>vosotros</em> is generally used as the plural of <em>tú</em>.

The pronoun <em>vos</em>: In some parts of Latin America, the pronoun <em>vos</em> replaces or partly replaces <em>tú</em>, especially in spoken Spanish. In some areas, <em>vos</em> implies even greater intimacy than <em>tú</em> does, and in some other areas it has its own verb forms. As a foreigner, however, you're perfectly safe using <em>tú</em> even where <em>vos</em> is common.

The general rule of noun-adjective agreement in Spanish is simple: Singular nouns are accompanied by singular adjectives, and plural nouns are accompanied by plural adjectives. Masculine nouns are described by masculine adjectives, and feminine nouns are described by feminine adjectives. In other words, the adjectives chosen to describe nouns must match in both number and gender.

Generally, the "normal" form of adjectives, the form you will find listed in dictionaries, is singular and masculine. To make the adjective plural, follow one of these steps:

Important note: Invariable adjectives don't change in form and are very rare. Most of them are either uncommon colors or words of foreign origin. An example is <em>web</em> as in <em>la página web</em> (the web page) and <em>las páginas web</em> (the web pages). As a beginner you will seldom have the need to use invariable adjectives, but you should be aware that they exist so they don't confuse you when you see them. 

With abstract nouns and nouns used in a general sense: In English, the article is often omitted with abstract nouns and nouns that refer more to a concept than a tangible item. But it still is needed in Spanish. A few examples might help clarify: <em>La</em> (Science is important.) <em>Creo en la justicia.</em> (I believe in justice.) <em>Estudio la literatura.</em> (I study literature.) <em>La</em> (Spring is beautiful.) primavera es bella. ciencia es importante.

With most titles of people: The definite article is used before most titles of a person being talked about. <em>El</em> (President Bush lives in the White House.) <em>Voy a la oficina de la doctora González.</em> (I'm going to the office of Dr. Gonzalez.) <em>Mi vecina es la señora Jones.</em> (My neighbor is Mrs. Jones.) The article is omitted, however, when directly addressing the person. <em>¿Cómo está usted? profesora Barrera.</em> (How are you, Professor Barrera?) presidente Bush vive en la Casa Blanca.

Before days of the week: Days of the week are always masculine. Except in constructions where the day of the week follows a form of <em>ser</em> (a verb for "to be"), as in <em>hoy es martes</em> (today is Tuesday), the article is needed.<em> Vamos a la escuela los lunes.</em> (We go to school on Mondays.) <em>El tren sale el miércoles.</em> (The train leaves on Wednesday.)

Before verbs used as subjects: In Spanish, infinitives (the basic form of a verb) can be used as nouns. The article <em>el</em> is used when one is used as the subject of a sentence.<em> El escribir es difícil.</em> (Writing is difficult.) <em>El</em> (Skiing is dangerous.) <em>No me gusta el nadar.</em> (I don't like swimming. In Spanish, this sentence has an inverted word order that makes <em>nadar</em> the subject.) esquiar es peligroso.

Often before names of languages: The article generally is used before names of languages. But it can be omitted immediately following a verb that is used often with languages, such as <em>hablar</em> (to speak), or after the preposition <em>en</em>. <em>El</em> (English is the language of Belize.) <em>El</em> (German is difficult.) <em>Hablo bien el español.</em> (I speak Spanish well.) But, <em>hablo español</em>. (I speak Spanish.) <em>No puede escribir en francés.</em> (He can't write in French.) alemán es difícil. inglés es la lengua de Belice.

With some place names: Although the definite article is seldom mandatory with place names, it is often used with many of them.  <em>La</em> (Havana is pretty.) <em>La</em> (India has many languages.) India tiene muchas lenguas. Habana es bonita.

With nouns joined by "and": In English, it often isn't necessary to include the "the" before each noun in a series. But Spanish often requires it. <em>La madre y el padre están felices.</em> (The mother and father are happy.)<em> Compré la silla y la mesa.</em> (I bought the chair and table.) 

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Marco. A.

<em>Incidentally, the Spanish word for "tongue twister" is trabalenguas, or (loosely translated) "thing that ties the tongue." 
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