These are plural subject pronouns. They translate into English as 'they (all male or mixed company)', 'they (all female)' and 'you'.
The first two pronouns-
ellos and
ellas-designate a third person; they are used to reference people you're speaking about (a third party), not the persons you're speaking to.
The last pronoun-
ustedes-designates a second person; it's used to address people you're speaking to (a second party), not the people you're speaking about.
When a plural subject pronoun is used, the verb is conjugated in its third-person plural form. Even though
ustedes is a plural
second person subject pronoun, the verb is still conjugated in third person plural.
Singular Subject | |
Él es fuerte y listo. | He is strong and smart. |
Ella es fuerte y lista. | She is strong and smart. |
Usted es fuerte y listo. | You (male) are strong and smart. |
Usted es fuerte y lista. | You (female) are strong and smart. |
Plural Subject | |
Ellos son fuertes y listos. | They (all male or mixed company) are strong and smart. |
Ellas son fuertes y listas. | They (all female) are strong and smart. |
Ustedes son fuertes y listos. | You (all male or mixed company) are strong and smart. |
Ustedes son fuertes y listas. | You (all female) are strong and smart. |