Russian grammar - Formality in Russian: вы and ты |
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The Russian word for 'you' (the second person pronoun) depends on who is talking and who is being addressed. • вы is used when addressing someone formally or politely. • ты is used when talking to friends and family. Grammatically вы behaves just like the second person plural ('you guys', 'ya'll'). So when first using it imagine you are talking to two people. |
Examples: | |
Ты ученик?
Are you (informal) a student?
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Ты уже здесь?
Are you (informal) here yet?
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Вы профессор?
Are you (formal) a/the professor?
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Вы русский?
Are you (formal) Russian (male)?
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Когда вы дома?
When are you (formal) at home?
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Вы всегда дома.
You (formal) are always at home.
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Почему ты здесь?
Why are you (informal) here?
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Вы иногда там?
Are you (formal) sometimes there?
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Вы часто там?
Are you (formal) often there?
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