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.
| French Type Of “You” | When To Use |
| tu | casual and singular |
| vous | plural (each formal and casual) formal singular |
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!
Asking permission to tutoyer
Numerous relationships might begin off with vouvoiement (utilizing vous) and shift to tutoiement (utilizing tu). When, if, or how rapidly this occurs is fully as much as the state of affairs. For those who start with vous, a colleague or new buddy would possibly let that tu works. It’s a quite common dialog in French as individuals meet and grow to be acquainted. You can even ask for permission to make clear that you simply’ve understood accurately.
| French | English |
| On peut se tutoyer ? | Can we use tu with one another? |
| Tu peux me tutoyer. | You need to use tu with me. |
| Je peux te tutoyer ? | I can use tu with you? |
| On pourrait peut-être se tutoyer, non ? | We might most likely use tu with one another, proper? |
| Ici on se tutoie tous. | Right here we use tu with everybody. |
Utilizing tu vs. vous in fundamental French phrases
This chart of widespread phrases can assist you examine and select the proper phrases and varieties for these important French phrases and phrases. Bear in mind to make use of the vous varieties when addressing a couple of individual.
| Formal/Plural French | Casual/Informal French | English |
| Remark vous appelez-vous ? | Remark t’appelles-tu ? | What’s your identify? |
| Remark allez-vous ? | Remark vas-tu ? | How are you? |
| Bien, et vous ? | Bien, et toi ? | Nicely, and also you? |
| S’il vous plaît | S’il te plaît | Please |
| Je vous en prie | Je t’en prie | You’re welcome |
| Je vous présente… | Je te présente… | Let me introduce to you… |
| À vos souhaits ! | À tes souhaits ! | Bless you! (after a sneeze) |
| Pardonnez-moi | Pardon-moi | Pardon me |
| Excusez-moi de vous déranger | Excuse-moi de te déranger | Sorry for bothering you |
| À votre santé ! | À ta santé ! | To your well being!/Cheers! |
| Merci à vous ! | Merci à toi ! | Thanks! (emphasis on you) |
Formal vs. casual in different components of speech
Tu and Vous are topic pronouns, however they aren’t the one components of speech affected by formal and casual speech. This chart can assist you examine and make applicable switches in your sentences the place wanted, together with with all these French pronouns.
| French a part of speech | Formal (Vous) Type | Casual (Tu) Type |
| topic pronoun | vous | tu |
| direct object pronoun | vous | te |
| oblique object pronoun | vous | te |
| reflexive pronoun | vous | te |
| stress pronoun | vous | toi |
| possessive adjective | votre/vos | ton/ta/tes |
| possessive pronoun | le vôtre/la vôtre/les vôtres | le tien/la tienne/les tiens/les tiennes |
Topic pronouns tu vs. vous
Tu and vous are topics of the sentence. French verbs are conjugated within the type that agrees with the topic. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re utilizing vous within the singular formal or within the plural, the type of the verb is similar.
- Tu veux quelque selected à boire ? = Do you need one thing to drink? (casual singular)
- Vous voulez quelque selected à boire ? = Do you need one thing to drink? (formal singular or any plural).
Direct object pronouns te vs. vous
Direct object pronouns substitute a noun that’s immediately affected by the motion, or the verb. The casual singular is te, which modifications to t’ in entrance of a vowel. It’s the place the t’ comes from within the expression for “I like you” in French.
- Je t’aime. = I like you.
- Je te connais. = I do know you.
- Je vous aime. = I like you.
- Je vous connais. = I do know you.
Oblique object pronouns te vs. vous
Oblique objects don’t obtain the motion of the verb immediately, however are not directly affected. They reply questions like “to whom, for whom, of whom, to what, for what, of what.”
- Je t’écris une lettre. = I write a letter to you.
- Je vous écris une lettre. = I write a letter to you.
Reflexive pronouns te vs. vous
Reflexive pronouns are used when the topic and object of the motion are the identical. Some verbs used reflexively in French will translate to “your self” in French, however others don’t.
- Remark tu t’appelles ? = What do you name your self? (what’s your identify?)
- Remark vous vous appelez ? = What do you name your self? (what’s your identify?)
Stress pronouns toi vs. vous
Stress pronouns can add emphasis and seem after prepositions similar to et (and) and à (to).
- Ça va bien, et toi ? = It’s going properly, and you?
- Ça va bien, et vous ? = It’s going properly, and you?
Possessive adjectives ton/ta/tes vs. votre/vos
These possessives differ relying on the noun that follows, in keeping with French grammar guidelines of adjective settlement.
- Remark s’appelle ton frère ? = What’s your brother’s identify?
- Remark s’appelle votre frère ? = What’s your brother’s identify?
- Ta famille est grande ? = Is your household large?
- Votre famille est grande ? = Is your household large?
- Tes mother and father sont strictes ? = Are your mother and father strict?
- Vos mother and father sont strictes ? = Are your mother and father strict?
Possessive pronouns le tien/la tienne vs. le/la vôtre
These phrases substitute a noun to keep away from repetition and translate to “yours.” There are totally different varieties relying on gender and quantity.
- Ma voiture ne marche pas. On va prendre la tienne. = My automotive doesn’t work. We’re going to make use of yours.
- Mon stylo ne marche pas. Je pourrais utiliser le vôtre ? = My pen doesn’t work. May I take advantage of yours?
Key takeaways for tu vs. vous in French
Selecting between these two varieties will assist you observe cultural norms for manners and etiquette. Right here are some things to recollect:
- All the time use vous and associated varieties when addressing a couple of individual.
- Use vous in conditions that demand formality, respect, or when addressing somebody ready of authority.
- Begin with vous whenever you meet somebody for the primary time, until it’s a really clearly informal state of affairs between friends.
- Observe the context rigorously or ask permission whenever you’re acquainted sufficient with a French speaker to begin utilizing tu.
- Use tu with younger kids, pets, and shut family and friends.
