When you first learned that Comment vas-tu ? and Comment allez-vous ? both mean “How are you?” you started learning about the nuances between using tu vs. vous as ways to say “you” in French.
In this post, we’ll explore the finer points of when to use each one, including the differences between formal and informal usage, singular and plural, and other parts of speech affected by vous vs. tu forms.
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Tu vs. vous in French
French has two different subject pronouns that mean “you.” They’re used to differentiate between the singular and the plural as well as formal and informal speech. Both are considered “second person” forms. When you learn French it’s very important to learn both formal and informal ways to express yourself so you can use expected good manners in all kinds of situations.
| French Form Of “You” | When To Use |
| tu | informal and singular |
| vous | plural (both formal and informal) formal singular |
Singular vs. plural
Vous is the only plural “you.” It’s your only choice if you’re addressing more than one person. Never use tu to address a group.
- Sarah, tu veux faire une promenade avec moi ? = Sarah, do you want to take a walk with me?
- Sarah et Ani, vous voulez faire une promenade avec moi ? = Sarah and Ani, do you want to take a walk with me?
If you’re addressing only one person, you have the choice between tu or vous, depending on whether the situation calls for formal or informal speech.
- Sarah, tu veux faire une promenade avec moi ? = Sarah, do you want to take a walk with me?
- Madame Thomas, vous voulez faire une promenade avec moi ? = Mrs. Thomas, do you want to take a walk with me?
Formal vs. informal
Formal speech is considered a more respectful register. The vous form is considered formal. The tu form is reserved for informal speech, sometimes called the casual, familiar, or friendly form.
- Sarah, quel âge as-tu ? = Sarah, how old are you?
- Madame Thomas, quel âge avez-vous ? = Mrs. Thomas, how old are you?
When to use vous vs. tu in French
While the singular vs. plural distinction is fairly clear, it can be tricky for new French speakers to decide between the formal or the informal register. This is an important matter of manners and courtesy in French. There are even specific French verbs for this concept. Vouvoyer means “to use vous with somebody,” and tutoyer means “to use tu with someone.”
Let’s start with the situations where manners dictate you should use vouvoyer. Default to vous forms in the following situations:
- Talking to more than one person
- Addressing an authority figure, such as a law enforcement officer
- Talking to a person of importance, such as a government official
- Meeting an older adult for the first time, such as a friend’s grandmother
- With strangers who are older than you
- In any situation where you’d use a title, such as Monsieur (Mr/Sir), Madame (Mrs./Madam), or Docteur (Doctor)
- In a situation where you’d dress up to make a good impression, such as a job interview
- In business meetings and professional interactions
- If the other person addresses you as vous
- Anytime you’re not sure—you won’t offend if you start with vous
The use of tu indicates a more casual or friendly interaction, indicating a social closeness or familiarity. It’s typical for French speakers to use tu forms in the following circumstances:
- With babies and young children (under 15 or so)
- With pets and animals
- With close family and friends
- In casual settings with people your age who are addressing you as tu
- French Protestants use tu to address Dieu (God) in prayer and worship
- With strangers to express anger since it can be disrespectful outside of close relationships
Observe tu vs. vous in context
There are many times where you’ll just have to assess the tu vs. vous situation based on the social context. Think about in college or at a university. There are very formal professors who wear suits and ties and are addressed as Doctor or Professor and their last name, and there are others who prefer to wear jeans and hoodies and ask to be called by their first name. Some classifications depend entirely on the context and the person.
Colleagues and classmates your age may develop into more casual friendships as you get to know them better, allowing you to use tu and French slang with ease. Relationships with some neighbors or people you see often may evolve into a more comfortable first name basis, while others may maintain the vous form of address and still express warmth and kindness in your interactions.
There are some cultural differences between French-speaking regions when it comes to vous vs. tu as well. For example, in Québec, Canadian French tends to use tu more easily and more commonly than in France. This may also be true of some of Francophone Africa. Observe your surroundings. Listen as others address you with either vous vs. tu and try to match the norms.
>>Love the verbs tutoyer and vouvoyer? Learn 61+ beautiful French words to impress!
Asking permission to tutoyer
A lot of relationships may start off with vouvoiement (using vous) and shift to tutoiement (using tu). When, if, or how quickly this happens is entirely up to the situation. If you begin with vous, a colleague or new friend might let you know that tu works. It’s a very common conversation in French as people meet and become familiar. You can also ask for permission to clarify that you’ve understood correctly.
| French | English |
| On peut se tutoyer ? | Can we use tu with each other? |
| Tu peux me tutoyer. | You can use tu with me. |
| Je peux te tutoyer ? | I can use tu with you? |
| On pourrait peut-être se tutoyer, non ? | We could probably use tu with each other, right? |
| Ici on se tutoie tous. | Here we use tu with everyone. |
Using tu vs. vous in basic French phrases
This chart of common phrases can help you compare and choose the correct words and forms for these essential French words and phrases. Remember to use the vous forms when addressing more than one person.
| Formal/Plural French | Informal/Casual French | English |
| Comment vous appelez-vous ? | Comment t’appelles-tu ? | What’s your name? |
| Comment allez-vous ? | Comment vas-tu ? | How are you? |
| Bien, et vous ? | Bien, et toi ? | Well, and you? |
| S’il vous plaît | S’il te plaît | Please |
| Je vous en prie | Je t’en prie | You’re welcome |
| Je vous présente… | Je te présente… | Let me introduce to you… |
| À vos souhaits ! | À tes souhaits ! | Bless you! (after a sneeze) |
| Pardonnez-moi | Pardon-moi | Pardon me |
| Excusez-moi de vous déranger | Excuse-moi de te déranger | Sorry for bothering you |
| À votre santé ! | À ta santé ! | To your health!/Cheers! |
| Merci à vous ! | Merci à toi ! | Thank you! (emphasis on you) |
Formal vs. informal in other parts of speech
Tu and Vous are subject pronouns, but they aren’t the only parts of speech affected by formal and informal speech. This chart can help you compare and make appropriate switches in your sentences where needed, including with these types of French pronouns.
| French part of speech | Formal (Vous) Form | Informal (Tu) Form |
| subject pronoun | vous | tu |
| direct object pronoun | vous | te |
| indirect object pronoun | vous | te |
| reflexive pronoun | vous | te |
| stress pronoun | vous | toi |
| possessive adjective | votre/vos | ton/ta/tes |
| possessive pronoun | le vôtre/la vôtre/les vôtres | le tien/la tienne/les tiens/les tiennes |
Subject pronouns tu vs. vous
Tu and vous are subjects of the sentence. French verbs are conjugated in the form that agrees with the subject. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using vous in the singular formal or in the plural, the form of the verb is the same.
- Tu veux quelque chose à boire ? = Do you want something to drink? (informal singular)
- Vous voulez quelque chose à boire ? = Do you want something to drink? (formal singular or any plural).
Direct object pronouns te vs. vous
Direct object pronouns replace a noun that’s directly affected by the action, or the verb. The informal singular is te, which changes to t’ in front of a vowel. It’s where the t’ comes from in the expression for “I love you” in French.
- Je t’aime. = I love you.
- Je te connais. = I know you.
- Je vous aime. = I love you.
- Je vous connais. = I know you.
Indirect object pronouns te vs. vous
Indirect objects don’t receive the action of the verb directly, but are indirectly affected. They answer questions like “to whom, for whom, of whom, to what, for what, of what.”
- Je t’écris une lettre. = I write a letter to you.
- Je vous écris une lettre. = I write a letter to you.
Reflexive pronouns te vs. vous
Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of the action are the same. Some verbs used reflexively in French will translate to “yourself” in French, but others don’t.
- Comment tu t’appelles ? = What do you call yourself? (what is your name?)
- Comment vous vous appelez ? = What do you call yourself? (what is your name?)
Stress pronouns toi vs. vous
Stress pronouns can add emphasis and appear after prepositions such as et (and) and à (to).
- Ça va bien, et toi ? = It’s going well, and you?
- Ça va bien, et vous ? = It’s going well, and you?
Possessive adjectives ton/ta/tes vs. votre/vos
These possessives vary depending on the noun that follows, according to French grammar rules of adjective agreement.
- Comment s’appelle ton frère ? = What is your brother’s name?
- Comment s’appelle votre frère ? = What is your brother’s name?
- Ta famille est grande ? = Is your family big?
- Votre famille est grande ? = Is your family big?
- Tes parents sont strictes ? = Are your parents strict?
- Vos parents sont strictes ? = Are your parents strict?
Possessive pronouns le tien/la tienne vs. le/la vôtre
These words replace a noun to avoid repetition and translate to “yours.” There are different forms depending on gender and number.
- Ma voiture ne marche pas. On va prendre la tienne. = My car doesn’t work. We’re going to use yours.
- Mon stylo ne marche pas. Je pourrais utiliser le vôtre ? = My pen doesn’t work. Could I use yours?
Key takeaways for tu vs. vous in French
Choosing between these two forms will help you follow cultural norms for manners and etiquette. Here are a few things to remember:
- Always use vous and related forms when addressing more than one person.
- Use vous in situations that demand formality, respect, or when addressing someone in a position of authority.
- Start with vous when you meet someone for the first time, unless it’s a very obviously casual situation between peers.
- Observe the context carefully or ask permission when you’re familiar enough with a French speaker to start using tu.
- Use tu with young children, pets, and close friends and family.
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