Tu vs. Vous In French (How To Be Polite)
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Understanding when to use tu and vous is a rite of passage for every beginner of French.
If your native language is English, you’re used to having just one word for the person you’re talking to: “you”.
In French, we have two different words for “you”: tu and vous.
Choosing the wrong one isn’t the end of the world, but using the correct one shows that you understand French culture and politeness.
In language learning, we call this “sociolinguistic competence” - basically, knowing how to speak appropriately in different social situations.
It’s actually quite simple once you learn the basic rules.
Table of Contents:
What is the difference between tu and vous?
The easiest way to think about the difference is by looking at formality and the number of people you’re talking to.
- Tu is singular and informal. You only use it when speaking to one person that you’re close to.
- Vous is plural (used for two or more people) OR it’s singular and formal (used for one person you don’t know well).
Think of vous as a polite distance. When you use vous with one person, you’re showing them respect. Think of tu as a close hug. You only use it with people in your inner circle.
When to use tu (informal)
You should use tu when you’re speaking to exactly one person who fits into one of these categories:
- Family members (parents, siblings, cousins)
- Friends and close acquaintances
- Children and teenagers
- Animals and pets
- Colleagues of the same age and rank (usually after being introduced)
If you’re talking to your best friend or a child on the street, tu is the perfect choice.
Tu viens à la fête ce soir ?
Comment vas-tu ?
When to use vous (formal and plural)
The word vous has two completely different jobs in French.
Job 1: The plural “you”
If you’re talking to two or more people, you always use vous. It doesn’t matter if those people are your best friends, your children, or total strangers. If there is more than one person, it’s always vous.
Êtes-vous prêts ?
Job 2: The formal singular “you”
If you’re talking to just one person, but you want to show respect or keep a polite distance, you must use vous. You should use this with:
- Strangers on the street
- Service workers (waiters, shopkeepers, cashiers, taxi drivers)
- People older than you
- Your boss or a superior at work
- Teachers and professors
Excusez-moi monsieur, avez-vous l’heure ?
Que voulez-vous commander ?
How to conjugate tu and vous
Because tu and vous are different pronouns, they change the verb that comes right after them. You have to conjugate the verb differently.
With regular verbs, the tu form almost always ends in an -s, and the vous form almost always ends in -ez.
Here’s a quick HTML table showing how to conjugate three very common French verbs for both tu and vous in the present tense:
| Verb (Infinitive) | Tu (Informal) | Vous (Formal/Plural) |
|---|---|---|
| Être (to be) | Tu es (You are) | Vous êtes (You are) |
| Avoir (to have) | Tu as (You have) | Vous avez (You have) |
| Parler (to speak) | Tu parles (You speak) | Vous parlez (You speak) |
Tutoyer and vouvoyer: how to ask
Because the tu vs. vous distinction is such a big part of the language, French actually has specific verbs for the act of using them!
- Tutoyer: To use “tu” with someone.
- Vouvoyer: To use “vous” with someone.
Sometimes, you might start talking to someone using vous (because they’re a stranger). But after chatting for a while, you become friendly. How do you switch to tu?
You can simply ask if it’s okay to tutoyer each other! Here are the most common phrases to safely make the switch:
On peut se tutoyer ?
On peut se tutoyer si tu veux.
When in doubt, it’s always safer to start with vous. If the person wants to be less formal, they’ll smile and say, “On peut se tutoyer” (We can use ‘tu’).
Regional differences: France vs. Quebec
Language isn’t just about grammar; it’s about people. And people behave differently depending on where they live!
If you’re traveling to France, the rules I shared above are strictly followed. French people guard their vous very carefully. Using tu with a Parisian waiter or a stranger in a bakery can be seen as rude or overly familiar.
However, if you cross the ocean to Quebec (Canada), the culture is much more relaxed.
In Canadian French, tu is used much more freely and quickly. It’s entirely normal for a waiter or a cashier in Montreal to greet you and immediately use tu. They aren’t being rude-it’s just the friendly, informal culture of Quebec!
That being said, even in Quebec, you should still use vous in very professional environments, or when speaking to the elderly.
Mastering tu vs. vous takes a little bit of practice, but it’ll quickly become second nature.
Just remember:
- Use tu for friends, family, kids, and pets.
- Use vous for multiple people, strangers, elders, and professional settings.
- When in doubt in France, start with vous.
