# you

/ˈju/ (US) · /jˈuː/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Pronoun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/you
Updated: 2026-04-26

## Definition

the person or people that the speaker is talking to. It can be used for one person or for a group.

For teachers: The second-person pronoun, referring to the person or people being addressed. It serves as both the subject and object form and can be used impersonally to mean 'one' or 'people in general'.

## Examples

- You are a good friend.
- When you finish your homework, you can watch television.
- You learn from experience that it's often better to listen first and speak second.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Your welcome" but "You're welcome" — Learners often confuse the possessive determiner 'your' with the contraction 'you're' (you are).

## Usage notes

- Functions as both the subject and object form of the second-person pronoun. It is used for both singular and plural referents.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.