Forms of Address

In polite speech Catalan uses the special pronominal forms vostè (for singular) and vostès (for plural) followed by a verbal form in third person (singular or plural, respectively):

• Vostè ha estat nomenat per al premi Batista i Roca.

You have been nominated to the Batista i Roca award.
• La nostra companyia vol treballar amb vostès.

Our company wants to work with you.

Like in Spanish, the pronouns vostè and vostès are derived from the expression Vostra Mercè (in Sp. Vuestra Merced) Her Mercy.

The treatment of respect, vós, is substituted for tu in some situations, such as in addressing senior people. It is used with the verbal forms corresponding to the second person plural (vosaltres), cf.:

• Ho heu fet vós, avi?

Did you do it, grandfather?
• Vol casar-se amb vós.

She wants to get married with you.