Both tu and vous mean “you,” but they signal different levels of formality. Using the wrong one
can seem rude or overly familiar. When in doubt, use vous — it’s never offensive.
When to Use Tu
Tutoyer [ty.twa.je] = to use tu:
- Family — Tu viens dîner, maman?
- Close friends — Tu vas bien?
- Children — Tu t’appelles comment?
- Peers in casual settings — Tu es étudiant aussi?
When to Use Vous
Vouvoyer [vu.vwa.je] = to use vous:
- Strangers — Excusez-moi, vous avez l’heure?
- Elderly people — Comment allez-vous, Madame?
- Authority / professional — Vous pouvez m’aider?
- Shops, restaurants — Vous avez ce modèle en bleu?
- Multiple people (always!) — Vous êtes prêts?
Verb and Possessive Changes
| Verb | Tu | Vous |
|---|---|---|
| être | tu es [ty ɛ] | vous êtes [vu.zɛt] |
| avoir | tu as [ty a] | vous avez [vu.za.ve] |
| parler | tu parles [ty paʁl] | vous parlez [vu paʁ.le] |
| pouvoir | tu peux [ty pø] | vous pouvez [vu pu.ve] |
Possessives also change: ton/ta/tes (tu) → votre/vos (vous).
Example: C’est ton livre? vs C’est votre livre?
Switching from Vous to Tu
The transition is a social ritual. The older or more senior person usually initiates:
- On peut se tutoyer? [ɔ̃ pø sə ty.twa.je] — Can we use “tu”?
- Tu peux me tutoyer. [ty pø mə ty.twa.je] — You can use “tu” with me.
Once you switch, you don’t go back.
Common Mistakes
| ❌ Wrong | ✓ Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tu to a stranger | Vous | Always formal with strangers |
| Tu to a group of friends | Vous | Plural always uses vous |
| Mixing: tu as votre livre | Tu as ton livre | Keep tu/vous consistent with possessives |
Practice Sentences
-
Tu viens au cinéma ce soir? (to a friend)
[ty vjɛ̃ o si.ne.ma sə swaʁ]
Are you coming to the movies tonight? -
Vous pouvez répéter, s’il vous plaît? (to a stranger)
[vu pu.ve ʁe.pe.te sil vu plɛ]
Can you repeat, please? -
Comment tu t’appelles? (to a child)
[kɔ.mɑ̃ ty ta.pɛl]
What’s your name? -
Comment vous appelez-vous? (formal)
[kɔ.mɑ̃ vu.za.ple vu]
What is your name? -
On peut se tutoyer, tu sais!
[ɔ̃ pø sə ty.twa.je ty sɛ]
We can use “tu” with each other, you know!
Exercise: Tu or Vous?
Choose the appropriate form for each situation:
- Asking your best friend for help → _____ peux m’aider?
- Asking a shopkeeper for the price → _____ avez le prix?
- Talking to your grandmother → _____ vas bien, mamie?
- Asking your new boss a question → _____ avez un moment?
- Talking to multiple friends → _____ venez ce soir?
Answers
- Tu — best friend (informal)
- Vous — shopkeeper (formal)
- Tu — grandmother (family)
- Vous — boss (formal, authority)
- Vous — multiple people (always plural)