French grammar - Politeness in French - the pronouns vous and tu |
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In addition to vous being the second person plural pronoun ('y'all', 'you guys'), it is also used when addressing someone politely or formally - someone you have just met, your teacher or your boss etc. On the other hand, the other singular 'you' pronoun tu is used when talking to someone you are familiar with - to friends and family etc. Whether vous refers (formally) to a single person or to multiple people ('you guys') can sometimes be ambiguous and the meaning needs to be understood from context. -- Henceforth in the examples 'you' in the English translation will be marked (formal) when the singular vous in being used, (plural) for the plural vous and (familiar) for tu. |
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Tu es en retard.
You (familiar) are late.
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Tu es où ?
Where are you (familiar)? |
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Salut Jacques, tu es en avance.
Hi Jacques, you (familiar) are early.
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Bonjour Madame, vous êtes en avance.
Hello Madam, you (formal) are early.
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Vous êtes français, Monsieur ?
Are you (formal) French, sir?
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Vous êtes où ?
Where are you (formal)? |
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Pourquoi vous êtes ici ?
Why are you (formal) here?
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Bon, vous êtes d'accord.
Good, you (formal) agree.
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Here is one of many exceptions we will encounter in French - there is no liaison after the 
