Te vs. Tu in Spanish: Quick Grammar Guide
Te is the object pronoun “you”; tu is the possessive “your.” Both are informal, singular, and never carry accents.
They look alike and sound alike, so thumbs race to hit the same key. In voice messages we mumble them fast, then second-guess while texting.
Key Differences
Te answers “to/for whom?”—Te doy esto. Tu answers “whose?”—tu móvil. Position: te moves with verbs; tu sticks to nouns. No accent on tu; te never changes form.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ask: “Am I giving something to someone?” Pick te. “Am I showing ownership?” Pick tu. If you can swap in “your,” tu wins; if you can swap in “to you,” te wins.
Examples and Daily Life
WhatsApp: “Te envío tu foto” = I’m sending you your pic. Café order: “¿Este es tu café?” vs “Te preparo un café.” Train your thumb with quick mental swaps.
Can te ever have an accent?
No—te is always written without an accent.
Is tu used for formal “your”?
No; formal “your” is su, not tu.
Does tu change for gender or number?
Tu never changes; the noun it modifies does: tu casa, tus zapatos.