Introduction
Knowing how to say that a decision is someone else’s to make is a small but very useful skill in Spanish conversation. This article explains natural ways to say that phrase, from formal to casual, and shows how to use each expression in context so you feel confident choosing the right option for different situations.
Common translations: quick overview
There are several natural ways to convey the English phrase that’s up to you in Spanish. The most common short options are tú decides, depende de ti, and como quieras. Each has a slightly different tone and level of formality. Below we explore these phrases, their variations, and when to use them.
tú decides — direct and neutral
tú decides is a straightforward, neutral option. Use it when you want to hand the choice to the other person without adding pressure or emotion. It literally means you decide and works in many informal and semi-formal contexts.
Example:
Vamos al cine o nos quedamos en casa?
Tú decides.
Usage note: You can drop the subject pronoun and say decides in casual speech, but the first appearance is bolded per the formatting rule. In written or polite contexts keep the pronoun for clarity.
depende de ti — emphasizes responsibility
depende de ti implies the outcome rests on the other person and sometimes adds a sense of responsibility. It is useful when the consequences of the choice matter or when you want to highlight that it is their decision to make.
Example:
¿Quieres que arregle la cita por la mañana o por la tarde?
Depende de ti.
Usage note: You can also say depende de usted to be formal. Use depende de ti with friends and peers.
como quieras — casual and flexible
como quieras is very common in spoken Spanish and communicates flexibility or indifference. It literally means as you want. It’s perfect when you want to sound relaxed or accommodating.
Example:
¿Cenamos en casa o salimos?
Como quieras.
Usage note: For a more polite or formal tone say como quiera. Use como quieras among friends or family.
Other natural alternatives and their nuances
Beyond the three core phrases, native speakers use a variety of alternatives depending on tone, formality, and region. Learn these options to sound more natural in different settings.
lo que tú quieras — emphasizes preference
lo que tú quieras highlights the other person’s preference. It is warm and friendly and suggests you are genuinely leaving the choice to them.
Example:
Pedido de pizza: peperoni o margarita?
Lo que tú quieras.
Usage note: For formal speech say lo que usted quiera. This phrase often appears in casual conversations where you want to be accommodating.
me da igual — neutral but can sound blunt
me da igual translates roughly to it’s all the same to me or it doesn’t matter to me. It communicates indifference, which can be useful but might sound blunt if the other person expects enthusiasm.
Example:
¿Prefieres té o café?
Me da igual.
Usage note: Use with care. In polite company, you might instead use me da lo mismo or soften the response with a friendly tone.
tú eliges — simple and decisive
tú eliges is very close to tú decides and means you choose. It is simple, decisive, and often used when there is no strong preference from the speaker.
Example:
¿Reservamos la mesa a las siete o a las ocho?
Tú eliges.
Usage note: tú eliges can feel more active than tú decides, as elegir emphasizes the act of selecting.
Polite and formal expressions
When speaking with someone you should treat with respect, such as a boss or a person you do not know well, use formal phrasing. These options keep the meaning but raise the politeness level.
como prefiera — very polite
como prefiera is a formal, respectful way to say it’s up to you. It conveys deference to the other person’s preferences and is suitable for professional contexts.
Example:
¿Nos reunimos lunes o martes?
Como prefiera.
Usage note: Pair this phrase with a formal greeting and polite tone to maintain respect.
depende de usted — formal responsibility
depende de usted is the formal equivalent of depende de ti. Use it when the decision-making responsibility should be politely acknowledged toward someone in a higher position or a customer.
Example:
¿Desea que le enviemos la factura hoy o mañana?
Depende de usted.
Informal and regional variations
Spanish has many regional expressions. Some are playful, others quite casual. Knowing these will help you sound like a local, but use them only with friends or in relaxed settings.
lo dejo a tu criterio — slightly formal but flexible
lo dejo a tu criterio literally means I leave it to your judgment. It is semi-formal and can be used in both friendly and workplace contexts when you trust the other person’s decision-making.
Example:
¿Cambio el color del logo?
Lo dejo a tu criterio.
haz lo que quieras — stronger indifference
haz lo que quieras means do whatever you want. It is more forceful and can sound annoyed or resigned depending on tone. Use carefully with friends to avoid sounding rude.
Example:
Si no quieres venir, haz lo que quieras.
Colloquial regional examples
In some countries you might hear playful or idiomatic expressions. For instance, in Mexico someone might say estoy a tus órdenes in a very courteous way when offering choices, while in Spain you might hear lo que digas which is very conversational and friendly.
Example Mexico:
¿Prefieres rojo o azul?
Estoy a tus órdenes.
Example Spain:
¿Vamos a la playa o a la montaña?
Lo que digas.
Short dialogues: natural contexts
Seeing phrases in small dialogues helps internalize tone and usage. Here are short exchanges using different levels of formality and emotion.
Casual friendly
A: ¿Película o serie esta noche?
B: como quieras.
Neutral, handing over responsibility
A: No sé si debo aceptar la invitación.
B: depende de ti, ¿te apetece?
Formal workplace
A: ¿Programamos la reunión para el lunes o el martes?
B: como prefiera, señores.
Tone matters: gentle versus blunt
Saying me da igual with a smile sounds easygoing, but said sharply it can sound dismissive. If you want to remain neutral yet polite, choose tú decides or lo que tú quieras instead.
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Most of these expressions are short and easy to pronounce, but a few notes help with accuracy. The verb decide in tú decides is second person singular present. In some regions the s at the end is softer in speech. The phrase como quieras uses the subjunctive form quieras because it expresses preference or willingness.
Pronunciation tip: Stress in como quieras falls naturally on the first syllable of each word: CO-mo QUER-as. In depende de ti pronounce the d softly and link words when speaking quickly: de-pen-de-de-ti.
Tips for choosing the right phrase
1. Consider formality: Use como prefiera or depende de usted in formal situations.
2. Think about responsibility: Use depende de ti when consequences matter.
3. Tone down bluntness: Replace me da igual with tú eliges if you want to sound polite.
4. Match region and relationship: Use colloquial options with friends and more neutral phrases with acquaintances or colleagues.
Summary of key phrases
Here are the most useful expressions reviewed:
tú decides — neutral and common.
depende de ti — emphasizes responsibility.
como quieras — casual and flexible.
lo que tú quieras — friendly and accommodating.
me da igual — indifferent, possibly blunt.
tú eliges — simple and decisive.
como prefiera — formal and polite.
depende de usted — formal responsibility.
Conclusion
Mastering ways to say that’s up to you in Spanish helps you navigate many everyday conversations. Choose between neutral, formal, or casual phrases depending on the relationship and context. Practice these examples aloud and notice how tone changes meaning—little adjustments make your Spanish sound more natural and polite.
