When to use Tu and Vous in French

French has two forms for the second person ('you', in English): the second person singular (tu) and the second person plural (vous).

In general, we use the second person singular (tu) when talking to one person, in particular with friends, peers, children and close family members.

We use the second person plural (vous) when talking to more than one person, except in certain circumstances (more on this further down).

Examples

Tu parles très bien français. - You speak French very well.

Vous n'êtes pas prêts pour l'examen. - You are not ready for the exam.

Although vous is second person plural, we also use it in some circumstances when talking to just one person:

• when talking to an elder, such as a grandparent
• when talking to someone in a higher ranking position, such as a boss or teacher
• when being polite to a stranger or colleague

Any verbs for which vous is the subject should also be in the second person plural, even when it is only referring to one person, but any adjectives describing the subject (vous) should be in the singular form and match the gender of the subject (vous).

Examples

Monsieur, vous êtes prêt ? - Sir, are you ready?

Madame, vous êtes prête ? - Madam, are you ready?

Excusez-moi, savez-vous où je pourrais trouver le supermarché le plus proche ? - Excuse me, do you know where I might find the closest supermarket?

You should generally use vous when talking with strangers, but they may suggest that you use the pronoun tu instead. There is a French verb for this: tutoyer. (The opposite, vouvoyer, means to address one another with the pronoun vous.)

Tu and vous change their form depending on whether they are used as a subject pronoun or object pronoun:

Note that te contracts when followed by a word beginning with a vowel or a silent h.

Examples

J'aimerais t'inviter à ma fête ce soir. - I would like to invite you to my party tonight.

Je pense que le prix devrait vous revenir. - I think the award should go to you.