Definitions - 2. Pronouns, Connectors & Question Words

yo

Grammatical first-person singular subject pronoun

tú

Second-person singular pronoun used with friends, peers, or equals

usted

Second-person singular pronoun showing deep respect, distance, or professional courtesy

él

Third-person singular masculine pronoun referencing a male human or object

ella

Third-person singular feminine pronoun referencing a female human or object

nosotros

First-person plural pronoun referencing a collective group including the speaker

ellos

Third-person plural masculine pronoun for a group of males or a mixed-gender group

ellas

Third-person plural feminine pronoun referencing an exclusively female group

me

Reflexive or direct/indirect object pronoun targeting the self

te

Object pronoun targeting an informal single listener

se

Pronoun used for reflexive, reciprocal, or passive third-person actions

lo

Direct object pronoun replacing a singular masculine noun or abstract concept

la

Direct object pronoun replacing a singular feminine noun

nos

Object pronoun targeting the collective "us" group

los

Direct object pronoun replacing a plural masculine or mixed noun group

mi

Possessive modifier indicating an item belongs to the speaker

tu

Possessive modifier indicating an item belongs to the informal listener

su

Possessive modifier indicating ownership by a third party, or by the formal listener

nuestro

Possessive modifier indicating an item belongs to the collective "us" group

este

Demonstrative descriptor pointing out a specific masculine object close to the speaker

esta

Demonstrative descriptor pointing out a specific feminine object close to the speaker

ese

Demonstrative descriptor pointing out a masculine object somewhat distant from the speaker

esa

Demonstrative descriptor pointing out a feminine object somewhat distant from the speaker

esto

Abstract neutral demonstrative pronoun for an unknown or unstated item nearby

eso

Abstract neutral demonstrative pronoun for an idea or item at a distance

¿qué?

Request for definition, identification, or clarification of an object/concept

¿quién?

Request for the identity of a specific human individual

¿dónde?

Request for geographical location, positioning, or coordinates

¿cuándo?

Request for temporal data, a specific date, or time frame

¿por qué?

Request for the underlying motive, logic, or cause of an action

¿cómo?

Request for the exact method, state, or operational process of something

¿cuánto?

Request for numerical price, mass, or general volume

¿cuántos?

Request for a specific plural count of items

¿cuál?

Request to select one option out of a specific available set

¿cuáles?

Request to select multiple choices out of an available set

y

Conjunction linking two words, concepts, or sequential statements together

o

Conjunction separating mutually exclusive choices or options

pero

Coordinating conjunction introducing a limitation, contrast, or objection

porque

Conjunction introducing the underlying reason or logical cause of an event

si

Conditional conjunction stating a required premise for an outcome

sí

Definitive particle of positive confirmation or agreement

no

Universal particle of absolute negation, refusal, or contradiction

como

Structural word used to draw comparisons, illustrate styles, or state causes

con

Preposition indicating accompaniment, inclusion, or the tool used

sin

Preposition indicating absolute exclusion, lack, or absence of something

para

Preposition targeting a final destination, specific recipient, deadline, or utility objective

por

Preposition indicating a cause, duration, exchange value, or transit route

de

Preposition showing possession, materials, origin, or categorization

en

Preposition indicating location inside, positioning on top, or time frame

a

Preposition indicating motion toward a place, target recipient, or specific time

hacia

Preposition indicating directional orientation of a movement without reaching it yet

hasta

Preposition defining the absolute terminal limit of space, action, or time

desde

Preposition pointing out the exact physical or temporal starting point

sobre

Preposition indicating physical placement on top, or thematic topic matter

también

Adverb adding an extra positive item or matching agreement to a statement

tampoco

Adverb adding an extra negative exclusion or matching disagreement

entonces

Adverb connecting a logical consequence or transitioning to the next temporal point

mientras

Conjunction tracking two actions occurring simultaneously in the same time frame