It’s All About ‘You’: How To Use Tu vs. Vous in French

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Whenever you first discovered that Remark vas-tu ? and Remark allez-vous ? each imply “How are you?” you began studying in regards to the nuances between utilizing tu vs. vous as methods to say “you” in French. 

On this submit, we’ll discover the finer factors of when to make use of each, together with the variations between formal and casual utilization, singular and plural, and different components of speech affected by vous vs. tu varieties.

Tu vs. vous in French

French has two totally different topic pronouns that imply “you.” They’re used to distinguish between the singular and the plural in addition to formal and casual speech. Each are thought of “second individual” varieties. Whenever you be taught French it’s essential to be taught each formal and casual methods to precise your self so you need to use anticipated good manners in every kind of conditions. 

Singular vs. plural

Vous is the one plural “you.” It’s your solely alternative in the event you’re addressing a couple of individual. By no means use tu to deal with a bunch. 

• Sarah, tu veux faire une promenade avec moi ? = Sarah, would you like to take a stroll with me? 
• Sarah et Ani, vous voulez faire une promenade avec moi ? = Sarah and Ani, do you need to take a stroll with me? 

For those who’re addressing just one individual, you’ve the selection between tu or vous, relying on whether or not the state of affairs requires formal or casual speech. 

• Sarah, tu veux faire une promenade avec moi ? = Sarah, would you like to take a stroll with me? 
• Madame Thomas, vous voulez faire une promenade avec moi ? = Mrs. Thomas, do you need to take a stroll with me? 

Formal vs. casual

Formal speech is taken into account a extra respectful register. The vous type is taken into account formal. The tu type is reserved for casual speech, typically known as the informal, acquainted, or pleasant type.

• Sarah, quel âge as-tu ? = Sarah, how previous are you? 
• Madame Thomas, quel âge avez-vous ? = Mrs. Thomas, how previous are you?  

When to make use of vous vs. tu in French

Whereas the singular vs. plural distinction is pretty clear, it may be difficult for brand new French audio system to resolve between the formal or the casual register. This is a crucial matter of manners and courtesy in French. There are even particular French verbs for this idea. Vouvoyer means “to make use of vous with anyone,” and tutoyer means “to make use of tu with somebody.”

Let’s begin with the conditions the place manners dictate it is best to use vouvoyer. Default to vous varieties within the following conditions:

• Speaking to a couple of individual 
• Addressing an authority determine, similar to a legislation enforcement officer
• Speaking to an individual of significance, similar to a authorities official
• Assembly an older grownup for the primary time, similar to a buddy’s grandmother
• With strangers who’re older than you 
• In any state of affairs the place you’d use a title, similar to Monsieur (Mr/Sir), Madame (Mrs./Madam), or Docteur (Physician)  
• In a state of affairs the place you’d gown as much as make an excellent impression, similar to a job interview
• In enterprise conferences {and professional} interactions
• If the opposite individual addresses you as vous
• Anytime you’re unsure—you gained’t offend in the event you begin with vous

Using tu signifies a extra informal or pleasant interplay, indicating a social closeness or familiarity. It’s typical for French audio system to make use of tu varieties within the following circumstances:

• With infants and younger kids (below 15 or so)
• With pets and animals
• With shut household and pals
• In informal settings with individuals your age who’re addressing you as tu
• French Protestants use tu to deal with Dieu (God) in prayer and worship
• With strangers to precise anger since it may be disrespectful exterior of shut relationships

Observe tu vs. vous in context

There are numerous occasions the place you’ll simply must assess the tu vs. vous state of affairs based mostly on the social context. Take into consideration in school or at a college. There are very formal professors who put on fits and ties and are addressed as Physician or Professor and their final identify, and there are others preferring to put on denims and hoodies and ask to be known as by their first identify. Some classifications rely fully on the context and the individual.

Colleagues and classmates your age might grow to be extra informal friendships as you get to know them higher, permitting you to make use of tu and French slang with ease. Relationships with some neighbors or individuals you see typically might evolve right into a extra comfy first identify foundation, whereas others might keep the vous type of tackle and nonetheless specific heat and kindness in your interactions. 

There are some cultural variations between French-speaking areas in terms of vous vs. tu as properly. For instance, in Québec, Canadian French tends to make use of tu extra simply and extra generally than in France. This will likely even be true of a few of Francophone Africa. Observe your environment. Hear as others tackle you with both vous vs. tu and attempt to match the norms. 

>>Love the verbs tutoyer and vouvoyer? Study 61+ lovely French phrases to impress!