Choosing between tu and vous is one of the first social decisions you make in French. It signals how formal or informal your relationship is. Getting it wrong will not stop communication, but getting it right makes a real difference in how you come across.
When to use tu
Tu is the informal singular. Use it with:
- friends and close acquaintances
- family members
- children
- classmates and colleagues of the same level or age
- people who explicitly ask you to use tu
Example: Tu viens ce soir ? = Are you coming tonight?
When to use vous
Vous is used in two situations:
- Formal singular: one person you do not know well, someone older, a professional, a customer service agent, a teacher.
- Plural: any group of two or more people, regardless of formality.
Examples:
- Vous avez une reservation ? = Do you have a reservation? (to a hotel receptionist)
- Vous voulez quelque chose ? = Do you want something? (to a group)
How to know which one to start with
When in doubt, start with vous. It is safer and more polite in unfamiliar situations. The other person will often invite you to switch: On peut se tutoyer. = We can use tu with each other.
Tutoyer and vouvoyer
These are the verbs French uses to describe the act of choosing one form or the other.
- tutoyer quelqu’un = to use tu with someone
- vouvoyer quelqu’un = to use vous with someone
Regional and generational differences
In some workplaces and social settings, especially among younger generations, tu is used more freely. In formal environments like law, government, or traditional businesses, vous is strongly preferred.
Final tip
If someone uses tu with you, it is natural to reciprocate. If someone uses vous, follow their lead. Paying attention to which form others use first is the most reliable guide in real situations.
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