Tu vs vous – informal and formal 'you'

English has one word for you. French has two: tu and vous, and choosing the right one matters socially.

Tu: informal, one person

Use tu with one person you're close to or on equal, relaxed terms with:

• family members and friends
• children (and pets!)
• other young people, classmates, often colleagues your age
• anyone who invites you to use it

• Tu veux un café ?Do you want a coffee?
• Tu es mon meilleur ami.You're my best friend.

Vous: formal, one person

Use vous with one person when you need to show respect or distance:

• people you don't know (shop staff, strangers in the street)
• older people, especially if you've just met them
• people in authority (your boss, a doctor, a police officer)

• Vous avez l'heure, s'il vous plaît ?Do you have the time, please?
• Monsieur, vous êtes très aimable.Sir, you're very kind.

Vous: any group of people

Vous is also the only plural you, formal or not. Speaking to two friends, you say vous.

• Les enfants, vous avez faim ?Kids, are you hungry?

Switching from vous to tu

French people often start with vous and switch later. The other person may say On peut se tutoyer ? ("Shall we use tu?"). Using tutoyer (to say tu) too early can sound rude; using vouvoyer (to say vous) with a friend sounds cold.

When in doubt with an adult, start with vous. Nobody is offended by too much politeness.

Notice that the verb changes too: tu es but vous êtes, tu as but vous avez. See Être (to be).