How to use vous vs tu correctly in different settings
Navigating French Etiquette: A Must-Read for Learners: How to use vous vs tu correctly in different settings
In French, “vous” and “tu” are both subject pronouns for “you,” but are used in different social contexts.
“Vous” is used:
- When addressing more than one person (plural “you”).
- In formal or polite settings, such as speaking to strangers, authority figures, elders, bosses, or in professional and bureaucratic contexts.
- When showing respect or social distance, including with people you do not know well.
- It often corresponds to English formal “you” or plural “you.”
“Tu” is used:
- When addressing one person informally or familiarly.
- Among friends, family, close colleagues, classmates, or peers of the same age group.
- When speaking to children, animals, or inanimate objects.
- It indicates social closeness or equal standing.
If unsure, it is safer to start conversations with “vous” and switch to “tu” only if invited or if the relationship becomes informal. In French culture, this choice also signals manners and respect. Sometimes people ask permission to switch from “vous” to “tu” (se tutoyer).
Summary of use cases:
| Use “vous” | Use “tu” |
|---|---|
| Addressing multiple people | Talking to one person informally |
| Formal or professional contexts | Friends, family, close colleagues |
| Speaking to elders or strangers | Children, animals |
| Showing respect or social distance | Peers or people of same age |
This distinction is fundamental for social etiquette and politeness in French-speaking settings. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7