pronoun
the one person the speaker is talking to
You look tired.
I called you this morning.
Good to know
Unlike Spanish, English uses you in both formal and informal situations.
Common phrases & grammar
you + verb
subject + verb + you
American English
How to pronounce you
pronounA1Very common word
YOO
/ju/
One syllable.
the one person the speaker is talking to
What to listen for
“You” is pronounced /ju/ when said alone, emphasized, at the end of a phrase, or before a vowel sound. In natural connected speech, it is often reduced to “yuh” /jə/ when unstressed before a consonant sound.
Full form/ju/
Reduced form/jə/
Meanings & examples
pronoun
the people the speaker is talking to
Are you ready, everyone?
I will meet you outside.
Good to know
English uses you for both one person and more than one person. The context shows which meaning is intended.
Common phrases & grammar
you + verb
subject + verb + you
pronoun
a person in general, not one particular person
You never know what will happen.
You need patience to learn a language.
Common phrases & grammar
you + verb + ...
Useful expressions
words used to show that you are grateful
Thank you for your help.
a friendly way to say goodbye
See you tomorrow.
an informal way to address a group
You guys did a great job.
Related words & forms
yourpossessive before a nounyourspossessive used aloneyourselvesreflexive form for more than one personyourselfreflexive form for one person
Use your before a noun; use yours without a noun. Use yourself for one person and yourselves for more than one person.