French 1 / Unit 1: Greetings and Introductions
1.2 Tu vs Vous
Notes
French has two ways to say "you". Choosing the right one shows respect.
- tu = informal, singular. Use it with friends, family, classmates and children.
- vous = formal singular (one adult you do not know well, a teacher) AND plural (more than one person, even friends).
- When in doubt with an adult stranger, use vous.
- Question forms: Comment vas-tu ? (tu) / Comment allez-vous ? (vous).
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Your best friend | tu |
| Your French teacher | vous |
| Two classmates together | vous |
| Your little brother | tu |
Practice
You are talking to your principal. Which sentence is correct?
A principal is a person you address formally, so use vous with allez.
You speak to two friends at the same time. Which pronoun do you use?
Vous is also the plural "you", even for friends.
Which person would you normally address as « tu » ?
Family members and friends get tu. Strangers and older adults usually get vous.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 1 test.