In the DELE speaking test, the safest thing is to start by addressing the examiner as usted, because the exam room is a formal setting between two people who don't know each other. But let's be clear: you don't gain or lose marks for choosing tú, usted or vos. What is assessed is that your grammar matches the form you've chosen. I explain it as a DELE examiner, with the exact phrases to ask and the tasks where you do have to use tú.

If you prefer to watch it, here's the video (in Spanish):

Can you use tú with the DELE examiner?

Yes, you can. There's no rule that forbids it or requires it. The rubrics examiners and raters work with say nothing about one form being better than the other.

That said, in context usted is the natural way to start: you're in an exam room with someone you don't know, and usted is the form Spanish uses to mark distance and show respect.

What is assessed: consistency

Whatever you choose, your grammar has to follow. If you use usted, conjugate in the third person and use its pronouns (¿usted puede repetírmelo?, le agradezco). If you use tú, do it just as well (¿puedes repetírmelo?, te agradezco).

What costs you marks is mixing them: starting with usted and continuing with tú forms in the same sentence. Pick one and keep it for the whole exam.

How to settle it during the exam

The speaking test doesn't start straight away with Task 1. First there are a few minutes of small talk, with simple questions to help you relax: your name, where you're from, how long you've been studying Spanish. That's the perfect moment to ask:

  • “Disculpe, ¿prefiere que le trate de tú o de usted?” (Excuse me, would you prefer tú or usted?)
  • “¿Le importaría si le tuteo?” (Would you mind if I use tú?)
  • “¿Puedo tutearle?”

That settles it. Bear in mind that by asking, you're leaving the decision to the examiner. And if you start with usted and they'd rather you use tú, they'll usually tell you in that same opening chat.

The tasks where you do have to use tú

Inside a formal exam there are tasks that are informal on the inside: the role plays, where you play a part with the examiner. That's the case in Task 3 of the DELE A2 speaking test and in its equivalent at DELE B1, Task 4.

If the instructions say you're flatmates or friends, it would be very odd to address each other as usted: there you use tú, even if a minute earlier you were using usted with that same person. The register is set by the situation you're given, not by the room.

To see what those tasks look like, read what the DELE B1 speaking test is like.

What about voseo? Can I use “vos” in the DELE?

Yes. The Rioplatense voseo used in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay is perfectly valid. The same idea applies as with tú: in an exam, the more formal option is always the safer one, but if the atmosphere allows a closer register, you can use voseo.

The condition is the usual one: if you use vos, use it throughout the exam, with its conjugations (vos tenés, vos podés) and its pronouns. Consistency is what's assessed, not which variety of Spanish you speak.

You can forget the plural

You won't need vosotros or ustedes to address the panel: you always interact with one person, the interviewer.

There's usually a second person in the room, the rater, but you don't interact with them beyond saying hello on the way in and goodbye on the way out.

FAQ

Do I lose marks for using tú with the DELE examiner?

No. Neither for tú nor for usted. What can cost you is using the verb forms wrongly or mixing them.

Which is better in the DELE, tú or usted?

As a starting point, usted, because the setting is formal. If the examiner prefers tú, they'll tell you, or you can ask at the beginning.

How do I ask whether I can use tú?

During the small talk: “Disculpe, ¿prefiere que le trate de tú o de usted?” or “¿Puedo tutearle?”.

Can I use voseo in the DELE exam?

Yes, as long as you keep it consistent throughout the exam, with the matching conjugations and pronouns.

And in the role plays?

There the role decides. If you're friends or flatmates, use tú, even if you were using usted before.

Do I have to greet the other person in the room?

A hello on the way in and a goodbye on the way out is enough. You don't interact with the rater.

Summary

  • Start with usted: the exam room is a formal setting.
  • No marks are at stake in choosing tú, usted or vos.
  • Marks are at stake in consistency: always conjugate to match your choice.
  • You can ask during the small talk whether they'd prefer tú.
  • In role plays (Task 3 at A2, Task 4 at B1), use tú if the role calls for it.
  • You won't need the plural: you only speak with one person.

Resources to prepare the speaking test

In my courses we prepare the speaking test task by task, with strategies, commented examples, a community, a chat for your questions and group calls before each exam session: DELE preparation courses.

If you're taking the A2, you can practise with my platform with 8 speaking test models. And if you're not sure which level to take, try the free level test.

For free resources and reminders before each exam session, join the newsletter: recursos.aporeldele.com/boletin.

¡A por el DELE! 🇪🇸