Saying “That’s up to you” in Spanish

Introduction

When learning Spanish, one of the most practical phrases you’ll encounter is how to express that a decision belongs to someone else. Whether you’re choosing a restaurant with friends, discussing weekend plans, or navigating everyday conversations, knowing how to say that’s up to you in Spanish helps you sound natural and respectful while empowering others to make their own choices.

The Most Common Way: Depende de Ti

The straightforward translation for that’s up to you in Spanish is depende de ti. This phrase comes from the verb depender, which means to depend on, combined with the preposition de and the informal singular pronoun ti.

Here’s how it breaks down:
Depende = it depends
de = on
ti = you (informal)

When someone asks you a question where the choice should be theirs, you can simply respond with depende de ti. This works perfectly in casual situations with friends, family members, or people you’re comfortable with.

Example conversation:
— ¿Vamos al cine o al parque?
(Should we go to the movies or to the park?)
— Depende de ti. Yo estoy bien con cualquier opción.
(That’s up to you. I’m fine with either option.)

Formal Situations: Depende de Usted

Spanish distinguishes between formal and informal address, which affects how you express this phrase. When speaking to someone you should address formally—such as a boss, elderly person, client, or someone you’ve just met—you’ll use depende de usted instead.

The structure remains identical, but usted replaces ti to show respect and maintain appropriate social distance. In Latin American Spanish, this formal version gets considerable use, even among colleagues in professional settings.

Professional example:
— ¿Programamos la reunión para el lunes o el martes, señor García?
(Should we schedule the meeting for Monday or Tuesday, Mr. García?)
— Depende de usted. Revise su calendario y confirme.
(That’s up to you. Check your calendar and confirm.)

Talking to Multiple People: Depende de Ustedes

When addressing a group, the plural form becomes necessary. Depende de ustedes covers both formal and informal plural situations in most Spanish-speaking countries.

In Spain, however, there’s an additional informal plural option: depende de vosotros (or depende de vosotras if addressing an all-female group). This uses the vosotros form common in Peninsular Spanish.

Group decision example:
— ¿Qué película vemos esta noche?
(What movie should we watch tonight?)
— Depende de ustedes. Yo veo lo que sea.
(That’s up to you all. I’ll watch whatever.)

Alternative Expressions: Como Quieras

Spanish offers several alternatives that convey similar meanings with slight variations in tone. One popular option is como quieras, which translates more literally to as you wish or however you want.

This phrase uses the subjunctive form of querer (to want) and feels slightly more accommodating than depende de ti. It suggests you’re happy to go along with whatever the other person prefers.

The formal version is como quiera (using the formal subjunctive), and the plural forms are como quieran (formal/Latin American plural) or como queráis (informal plural in Spain).

Example:
— ¿Salimos temprano o llegamos a la hora exacta?
(Should we leave early or arrive right on time?)
— Como quieras. A mí me da igual.
(Whatever you want. It’s all the same to me.)

Adding Emphasis: Tú Decides

When you want to be more direct and place the decision squarely in someone else’s hands, tú decides works perfectly. This literally means you decide and comes across as clear and straightforward.

The formal equivalent is usted decide, and the plural versions are ustedes deciden or vosotros decidís (Spain informal).

This expression carries a bit more weight than depende de ti because it explicitly names the action of deciding. Use it when you want to emphasize that you’re genuinely leaving the choice to the other person.

Example:
— No sé si debería aceptar este trabajo o esperar otra oferta.
(I don’t know if I should accept this job or wait for another offer.)
— Tú decides. Solo tú conoces tu situación.
(That’s up to you. Only you know your situation.)

Casual Alternatives: Lo Que Tú Digas

For a more relaxed, conversational tone, try lo que tú digas, which means whatever you say. This phrase sounds friendly and easygoing, perfect for informal contexts with people you know well.

You might also hear lo que quieras (whatever you want) or simply lo que sea (whatever), though this last one can sound indifferent if not delivered with the right tone.

Example:
— ¿Pedimos pizza o sushi?
(Should we order pizza or sushi?)
— Lo que tú digas. Tengo hambre de cualquier cosa.
(Whatever you say. I’m hungry for anything.)

Regional Variations and Cultural Notes

While depende de ti is understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, you’ll encounter regional preferences and variations. In some Latin American countries, people might add diminutives or modifications to soften the phrase.

In Mexico, you might hear como tú quieras with the subject pronoun emphasized, or even tú sabrás (you would know), which places trust in the other person’s judgment.

Argentina and Uruguay, which use the vos pronoun instead of tú, would say depende de vos or como vos quieras. The conjugations also change: vos decidís instead of tú decides.

Understanding these regional differences helps you communicate more effectively and shows cultural awareness when traveling or interacting with Spanish speakers from different countries.

Context Matters: Choosing the Right Expression

Selecting which phrase to use depends on several factors: your relationship with the listener, the formality of the situation, and how much you want to emphasize the other person’s autonomy.

Use depende de ti or depende de usted for neutral, standard responses that work in most situations. These phrases feel natural and don’t carry particular emotional weight.

Choose como quieras when you want to sound accommodating and flexible, showing you’re happy with any decision.

Opt for tú decides when the decision is important or when you want to clearly communicate that you’re deferring to the other person’s judgment.

Reserve casual expressions like lo que tú digas for informal settings with friends or family where the stakes are low and the atmosphere is relaxed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learners sometimes confuse depende de ti with depende en ti, using the wrong preposition. In Spanish, the verb depender always takes the preposition de, never en.

Another mistake involves mixing formality levels. Don’t use depende de ti with someone you should address formally, and avoid depende de usted with close friends, as it creates unnecessary distance.

Some learners also forget to adjust for plural situations, saying depende de ti when addressing multiple people. Remember to use depende de ustedes or depende de vosotros as appropriate.

Practice Makes Perfect

To internalize these expressions, practice them in context. Create scenarios where you need to defer decisions to others, and practice both asking questions and responding with the appropriate phrase.

Try this exercise:
Someone asks: ¿Cenamos italiano o mexicano?
Your response: Depende de ti, me gustan los dos.
(That’s up to you, I like both.)

Or practice the formal version:
Your boss asks: ¿Prefiere la presentación en la mañana o en la tarde?
Your response: Depende de usted, señor. Estoy disponible en ambos horarios.
(That’s up to you, sir. I’m available at both times.)

Listen to native speakers in movies, podcasts, or conversations to hear how these phrases sound in natural speech. Pay attention to intonation and context to develop a feel for when each expression fits best.

Conclusion

Mastering how to say that’s up to you in Spanish opens up more natural, flowing conversations and helps you navigate social situations with confidence. Whether you choose depende de ti, como quieras, or tú decides, understanding the nuances of each expression allows you to communicate your message with the right tone and level of formality for any situation.