A1 · Pronouns
Tu vs vous: who you are talking to
English has one “you”. French has two, and the verb changes with them. Tu is one person you are close to, or who invited it. Vous is everyone else — one person you respect, and any group. Getting this wrong is more social than grammatical. Getting it right is a relief.
The default for adults
Start with vous for anyone you do not already tutoyer: shops, offices, new colleagues, parents of your child’s friends, a tutor you have just met. It is not cold. It is adult. They can offer tu. You should not grab it.
Vous — the safe one
Vous avez une minute ?
Do you have a minute?
Je vous en prie.
You’re welcome. / After you.
Tu — once it is offered
Tu as une minute ?
Got a minute?
Je t’en prie.
Same phrase, closer
The verb has to follow
| English | tu | vous |
|---|---|---|
| you are | tu es | vous êtes |
| you have | tu as | vous avez |
| you can | tu peux | vous pouvez |
| you want | tu veux | vous voulez |
| your (one thing) | ton / ta / tes | votre / vos |
Comment vous vous appelez ?
What’s your name? — vous, first meeting Comment tu t’appelles ?
What’s your name? — tu, already close or speaking to a child
Groups, emails, and “on se tutoie ?”
A group is always vous, even if you would tu each person alone. Emails to people you do not know stay in vous. If someone says on se tutoie ?, say oui and switch. If you are unsure in a lesson, stay in vous — it is never an insult.
Try this out loud
Practise the vous versions until they are automatic. Tu can wait.
Vous pouvez répéter ?
Can you repeat?
Je vous remercie.
Thank you.
Et vous ?
And you?
Questions this page usually raises
Keep going
Next grammar pages — same English, next rule.
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