Mr. Maru: I'm going to the beach. Do you want to go with me?

Ms. Maru: Oh, I can't go. I have to study.

Sparky: Hey, are you going to the beach?

Mr. Maru: Me? Or Ms. Maru?

Sparky: I mean y'all going to the beach?

Ms. Maru: I didn't know you were from the south Sparky.

Sparky: I mean are you guys going to the beach?

Ms. Maru: I am not a guy!

How do we talk about the plural of you in English?

Japanese has 君達 (kimitachi) and Spanish even has two words ustedes and vosotros, but English does not have a good plural of you. This can be a little confusing. Why do other languages have a plural you, but not English? It's a little strange.

In the past, English actually had a plural of you. In Early Modern English, people used 'ye' to mean more than one person, and 'thou' to mean one person. For example,

Ye will study. (talking to students in a class)

Are thou going to the beach? (talking to Mr. Maru and only Mr. Maru)

Now, in proper English these are both 'you.':

You will study. (talking to students in a class)

Are you going to the beach? (talking to Mr. Maru and only Mr. Maru)

But, there are many different kinds of casual forms of you plural. Let's go over them:

Y'all - This is used a lot in the American South. If you use it in the North, you can sound like a Southerner. This might be embarrassing. If you use it outside of the United States, you will sound a little strange. But, it is the best version of the plural of you. Let's look at an example:

Y'all ready for dinner?

Be careful! The spelling is y'all and not ya'll.

You guys - This is used a lot in the American North. If you use it in the South, you can sound like a Northerner. This is a little embarrassing. It is generally considered very casual, and you should not use it in formal or business situations. It is okay with friends and family.

You guys listen to the new Ayumi Hamasaki album?

Be careful! Do not use this with a group of women. It will sound embarrassing.

You's - This is used in many different places including Australia, Scotland, and in some parts of America. It is very casual and should be used with close friends. In America, this sounds very unintelligent.

How are you's doing?

Other forms of the plural of you

There several more forms of the plural of you:

You'uns, you'ins, you'ens, you'nz - It might be short for 'you ones.' It is used in Appalachia, the south, and Pennsylvania.

You both, you and you - This is used to talk about just two people.

For a great list of forms of the plural of you, please read What is the Plural Form of "You"?

Plural of you quiz

Let's test your knowledge:

1) You are in the American North. What can you say to your friends?

a) Do y'all want to go to the beach?

b) Do you guys want to go to the beach?

c) Do you'uns want to go to the beach?

2) You are the Scotland. What can you say to your friends?

a) Do you's want to have a beer?

b) Do y'all want to have a beer?

c) Do you guys want to have a beer?

3) You are in the American South. What can you say to your friends?

a) Are you's going to the dance?

b) Are you guys going to the dance?

c) Are y'all going to the dance?

Answers to the plural of you quiz:

1. B) - you guys is used in the American North.

2. A) - you's is sometimes used in Scotland. There are several other forms too.

3. C) - y'all is perfectly okay in the South.

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