Usted o tú en oficinas: pistas rápidas y ejemplos
Elegir entre usted y tú en oficinas: pistas rápidas y ejemplos.
Dannis
En la Oficina de Extranjería, elige la mejor apertura:
Correct: 0/8
Hints for this Quiz
Think about the formal context (office, ventanilla): you need "usted", not "tú".
In Spanish public offices and services, people generally use "usted", especially at reception or at the service window. So "¿Me atiende?" is correct; the forms with "¿me atiendes?" sound too informal for this kind of situation.
Look for the conditional form ("podría") + usted.
For polite requests in an official setting, Spanish uses the conditional: "¿Me podría decir…?" is the most neutral and polite formula with "usted".
Look for the option that confirms the change to "tú".
If the other person explicitly offers to switch to "tú", you should adapt: "Ah, vale, como quieras" is a natural answer, and switching to "tú" is appropriate here.
The imperative for "usted" ends in "-e": "déjeme".
The formal imperative for "usted" is "Déjeme (su pasaporte)". This phrase is typical in police/immigration contexts. You can also hear the softer variant "¿me deja su pasaporte?".
Consulate = high level of formality → "usted".
At a consulate, people usually speak using "usted". "¿Me atiende ahora?" is correct and polite; "¿me atiendes?" is too informal for an official service window.
Look for the conditional ("podría") and the impersonal "se paga" for a neutral tone.
To make this more formal and softer, use the conditional: "¿Me podría decir…?" + the impersonal construction "se paga" sounds neutral and official in an administrative context.
Start with the polite email formula: "Le escribo…".
In business or formal emails, the formula "Le escribo para solicitar información…" is standard. It sounds formal and polite, like in typical model letters.
Remember the polite ways to get someone's attention: "Disculpe" for usted.
To politely address a stranger in an official situation, use "Disculpe" (usted), not "Perdona/Oye", which sound too friendly and informal.
Discover next:
Do you like it? Want more?
Free & quick registration, no subscriptions!
🤗
For expats and alike – unlike any other language app you've tried!
🎮
Learn by scrolling and playing!
💪
Real grammar and idioms to sound like locals!
🧠
Endless FYP feed for language learning
🧠
Endless FYP feed for language learning
Related articles
Materials on related topics will help expand your understanding of the topics: