A1 Pronouns 16 min read Easy

Tu vs Vous: Formal and Informal You

Use tu for intimacy and vous for respect or groups; when in doubt, choose vous to stay polite.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'tu' for friends, family, and peers; use 'vous' for strangers, groups, or authority figures to show respect.

  • Use 'tu' for one person you know well: 'Tu es mon ami.'
  • Use 'vous' for one person you don't know: 'Vous êtes le professeur ?'
  • Always use 'vous' for two or more people, regardless of closeness: 'Vous êtes mes amis.'
Tu (1 friend) vs Vous (1 stranger OR 2+ people)

Overview

French distinguishes between two forms of the second-person pronoun, tu and vous, both translating to "you" in English. This distinction is not merely grammatical; it is a fundamental aspect of French social interaction, reflecting degrees of familiarity, respect, and social distance. Understanding when to use each pronoun is crucial for effective and appropriate communication in French.

Using the incorrect form can inadvertently convey disrespect, undue intimacy, or even social awkwardness.

Historically, many European languages, including French, developed a T-V distinction (from Latin tu and vos). Tu originally served as the singular form, and vous as the plural. Over time, vous evolved to also function as a singular pronoun, specifically to address individuals with greater formality or respect, mirroring existing social hierarchies.

This dual function of vous—as both the formal singular "you" and the general plural "you"—is the core concept learners must grasp. Its purpose is to modulate social distance: tu establishes closeness and equality, while vous maintains a polite barrier or acknowledges multiple recipients.

How This Grammar Works

The choice between tu and vous depends on the nature of the relationship between speakers and the number of people being addressed. This system provides a linguistic mechanism for expressing social status, age, professional standing, and personal rapport. The act of using tu is called tutoyer (to use tu), and using vous is called vouvoyer (to use vous).
  • Tu: This pronoun is exclusively singular and signifies informality, familiarity, and intimacy. It implies a relationship of equality, shared personal space, or affection. When you tutoyer someone, you are acknowledging a close bond or a relaxed social dynamic. It is used with individuals you know well, typically family members, close friends, partners, and children. The use of tu also extends to pets and, in some contexts, abstract concepts or deities (e.g., in prayer).
  • Example: Tu es mon ami. (You are my friend.)
  • Example: Maman, tu veux du café ? (Mom, do you want some coffee?)
  • Vous (Formal Singular): This pronoun is used for a single individual when a formal or respectful address is required. It establishes social distance and deference. You vouvoyer someone you do not know well, someone older, in a position of authority, or in a professional context. This form is the default for most initial interactions with adults in French-speaking cultures. It demonstrates politeness and avoids presumptuous intimacy.
  • Example: Excusez-moi, Monsieur, vous avez l'heure ? (Excuse me, Sir, do you have the time?)
  • Example: Professeur, vous pourriez m'aider ? (Professor, could you help me?)
  • Vous (Plural): Crucially, vous is always used when addressing two or more people, regardless of the level of formality or your relationship with them. Whether you are speaking to a group of close friends, your family, or a room full of strangers, the plural "you" is consistently vous. This is a fixed grammatical rule and does not carry the same social implications as the formal singular vous.
  • Example: Mes amis, vous venez ce soir ? (My friends, are you coming tonight?)
  • Example: Chers collègues, vous avez bien reçu mon email ? (Dear colleagues, have you received my email?)
The shift from vous to tu in a relationship is a significant social step, usually initiated by the person of higher status, older age, or by mutual agreement, often with a direct question like "On peut se tutoyer ?" (Can we use tu with each other?). Failing to switch to tu after such an invitation can be perceived as rejecting familiarity or maintaining an unnecessary barrier.

Formation Pattern

1
The distinction between tu and vous extends beyond just the pronoun itself; it also necessitates a specific conjugation of the verb that follows. This consistent pattern helps reinforce the formality or informality of the address. For A1 learners, mastering the verb endings associated with tu and vous is as important as knowing when to use each pronoun.
2
1. Regular -ER Verbs (The Most Common Pattern):
3
For the vast majority of regular verbs ending in -er (like parler, manger, habiter), the tu and vous forms follow a highly predictable pattern. The tu form typically ends in -es (with the s often silent), and the vous form always ends in -ez (pronounced /e/).
4
| Verb (infinitive) | Tu form | Pronunciation (approx.) | Vous form | Pronunciation (approx.) |
5
| :---------------- | :-------- | :---------------------- | :---------- | :--------------------- |
6
| parler (to speak) | tu parles | /ty paʁl/ | vous parlez | /vu paʁle/ |
7
| manger (to eat) | tu manges | /ty mɑ̃ʒ/ | vous mangez | /vu mɑ̃ʒe/ |
8
| habiter (to live) | tu habites | /ty a.bit/ (silent h) | vous habitez | /vu za.bi.te/ (liaison) |
9
Notice the liaison in vous habitez. When vous is followed by a verb starting with a vowel or silent h, the final s of vous is pronounced like a z sound, linking the two words (vou-z-habitez). This is a common feature in French pronunciation and signifies a fluent connection between words.
10
2. Key Irregular Verbs:
11
While the -es / -ez pattern is prevalent, some of the most frequently used verbs in French are irregular. It is essential to learn their tu and vous forms specifically. Even with irregular verbs, the endings often maintain a distinct difference that aligns with the T-V distinction.
12
| Verb (infinitive) | Tu form | Vous form |
13
| :---------------- | :-------- | :---------- |
14
| être (to be) | tu es | vous êtes |
15
| avoir (to have) | tu as | vous avez |
16
| faire (to do/make) | tu fais | vous faites |
17
| dire (to say) | tu dis | vous dites |
18
| aller (to go) | tu vas | vous allez |
19
In vous êtes, a liaison also occurs (vou-z-êtes), connecting the pronoun and the verb. This consistency in pronunciation across regular and irregular verbs strengthens the auditory recognition of the vous form.
20
3. Other Related Grammatical Changes:
21
The choice between tu and vous also affects other parts of speech that agree with the pronoun:
22
Possessive Adjectives: These indicate ownership and must match the formality. If you use tu, you use ton (masculine singular), ta (feminine singular), or tes (plural). If you use vous, you use votre (singular, for masculine or feminine) or vos (plural).
23
Example: C'est ton livre. (This is your book - informal, singular owner)
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Example: C'est votre livre. (This is your book - formal, singular owner OR plural owners)
25
Reflexive Pronouns: For reflexive verbs, the pronoun also changes: te for tu and vous for vous.
26
Example: Tu te laves. (You wash yourself - informal)
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Example: Vous vous lavez. (You wash yourself - formal OR you all wash yourselves)
28
These interconnected changes demonstrate that the tu/vous distinction is deeply integrated into French grammar, affecting not just pronouns but also verb conjugations and related adjectival forms. Always consider the entire phrase when making your choice.

When To Use It

Navigating the tu vs vous distinction requires sensitivity to social contexts and relationships. The guidelines below provide a framework, but remember that cultural nuances and regional variations can exist. When in doubt, it is generally safer to default to vous to avoid unintended rudeness, as it is always better to be overly polite than presumptuous.
Use tu (Informal Singular) for:
  • Family Members: Parents, siblings, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.
  • Bonjour Papa, tu vas bien ? (Hello Dad, are you doing well?)
  • Close Friends and Partners: Individuals with whom you share a personal, intimate relationship.
  • Cherche, tu as laissé tes clés ici. (Look, you left your keys here.)
  • Children and Teenagers: Generally, adults tutoyer children and often teenagers, even if they are not personally known. This reflects a power dynamic and social expectation.
  • To a child: Tu veux une glace ? (Do you want an ice cream?)
  • Pets and Inanimate Objects: When speaking directly to animals or, rhetorically, to objects.
  • To a dog: Viens ici, tu es un bon chien. (Come here, you are a good dog.)
  • God or Deities: In religious contexts, prayers often use tu to express a personal, intimate relationship with the divine.
  • Notre Père, qui es aux cieux... (Our Father, who art in heaven...)
  • Peers in Casual Settings: Among university students, colleagues in very relaxed work environments (e.g., startups), or during casual social gatherings, tu is often adopted quickly, especially among younger generations.
Use vous (Formal Singular) for:
  • Strangers: Anyone you encounter for the first time, or whom you do not know personally (e.g., in shops, on the street, in public administration).
  • Madame, vous désirez ? (Madam, what would you like? - a shopkeeper to a customer)
  • Authority Figures: Your boss, professor, doctor, police officer, or any professional in a position of authority.
  • Monsieur le Juge, vous avez pris une décision ? (Your Honor, have you made a decision?)
  • Elders: Individuals significantly older than you, even if you have a casual acquaintance. It is customary to wait for them to invite you to tutoyer.
  • Madame Dubois, vous allez bien ce matin ? (Mrs. Dubois, are you well this morning?)
  • Professional Settings: Colleagues you do not know well, clients, business partners, or in formal correspondence (e.g., job applications, official emails).
  • Nous vous remercions de votre candidature. (We thank you for your application.)
  • When in Doubt: If you are unsure which form to use, always opt for vous. It is the safest and most respectful choice, allowing the other person to initiate a switch to tu if they desire.
Use vous (Plural) for:
  • Any Group of Two or More People: This is a grammatical imperative, irrespective of the relationship or formality with the individuals within the group.
  • To a group of friends: Alors les gars, vous êtes prêts ? (So guys, are you ready?)
  • To an audience: Mesdames et Messieurs, vous êtes très nombreux ce soir. (Ladies and Gentlemen, there are many of you tonight.)
  • Mixed Groups: If you are addressing a group that includes both people you would tutoyer and people you would vouvoyer individually, the plural vous is the correct and only option.
Modern Contexts (Digital Communication):
  • Text Messages/Social Media: Tu is overwhelmingly dominant in casual digital communication among peers (SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat). It reflects the informal, personal nature of these platforms.
  • Salut, tu es libre ce soir ? (Hi, are you free tonight?)
  • Professional Emails/Official Forums: Even in digital formats, if the context is professional or formal, vous remains the standard.
  • Je vous écris concernant votre demande. (I am writing to you regarding your request.)
The decision to tutoyer or vouvoyer is a dynamic one. It evolves with the relationship, with an explicit invitation to switch usually marking the transition from formality to familiarity.

Common Mistakes

French learners frequently struggle with the tu vs vous distinction, often making errors that can unintentionally alter social dynamics. Recognizing these common pitfalls and understanding their implications is key to mastering appropriate address.
  • Tutoyer a Stranger or Authority Figure (Preemptive tutoiement): This is arguably the most common and significant error for beginners. Using tu with someone you should vouvoyer (e.g., a shop assistant, a teacher, an elder) is considered rude, presumptuous, and a breach of social etiquette. It implies a familiarity that has not been established and can make the other person feel disrespected or uncomfortable. This is often a direct result of transferring English's single "you" system.
  • Incorrect: Bonjour, tu as des baguettes ? (To a baker you don't know)
  • Correct: Bonjour, vous avez des baguettes ?
  • Using tu for a Plural Group: Learners sometimes incorrectly assume tu can be used for an informal group, similar to regional English phrases like "you guys" or "y'all." However, vous is the only correct pronoun for addressing two or more people, irrespective of your relationship with them. This error demonstrates a misunderstanding of vous's dual role.
  • Incorrect: Salut les filles, tu venez ce soir ? (To a group of female friends)
  • Correct: Salut les filles, vous venez ce soir ?
  • Incorrect Verb Conjugation: A common mistake is to correctly choose the pronoun but then fail to conjugate the verb accordingly. For example, using tu with a vous verb ending, or vice-versa. This demonstrates a lack of grammatical agreement, making the sentence sound awkward and grammatically incorrect, similar to saying "you is" in English.
  • Incorrect: Tu parlez français ? (Using tu with the vous verb ending)
  • Correct: Tu parles français ?
  • Incorrect: Vous parle français ? (Using vous with the tu verb ending)
  • Correct: Vous parlez français ?
  • Not Accepting a Tutoiement Invitation: If a French speaker, especially an elder or someone in a position of authority, invites you to tutoyer them (e.g., by saying "On peut se tutoyer" or "Tu peux me tutoyer"), refusing or continuing to vouvoyer can be perceived as maintaining an unwanted distance, being standoffish, or even slightly disrespectful of their gesture of familiarity. This applies even if you initially feel uncomfortable with the switch.
  • Over-Vouvoyering in Established Relationships: Conversely, once tu has been mutually agreed upon or naturally adopted within a close relationship, reverting to vous (unless for specific emphasis, e.g., mock formality) can create awkwardness or signal a withdrawal of intimacy. It might suggest a sudden distancing or a problem in the relationship.
  • Confusion with Similar Distinctions in Other Languages: While other languages like Spanish (tú vs usted) and German (du vs Sie) also have formal/informal distinctions, the specific social rules and contexts for their application differ. Learners should avoid direct transference of rules from other languages, as French norms might be more conservative or nuanced in certain situations. For example, vous remains very prevalent in public spheres in France compared to usted in some Spanish-speaking regions.
By being mindful of these common errors and consciously applying the social and grammatical rules, learners can navigate the tu vs vous system with greater confidence and accuracy, fostering more natural and respectful interactions in French.

Real Conversations

Observing the tu vs vous distinction in authentic dialogue helps solidify understanding. These examples illustrate various social contexts and the appropriate pronoun usage.

S

Scenario 1

Two Students Meeting for the First Time (Common tutoiement among peers)

- Marie: Salut ! Tu es aussi en cours de littérature ? (Hi! Are you also in the literature class?)

- Paul: Oui, c'est ça. Et toi, tu t'appelles comment ? (Yes, that's right. And you, what's your name?)

- Marie: Marie. Enchantée ! (Marie. Nice to meet you!)

- Paul: Moi, c'est Paul. On peut s'asseoir ici, tu crois ? (I'm Paul. Can we sit here, do you think?)

S

Scenario 2

Customer Ordering at a Bakery (Formal vouvoiement)

- Client: Bonjour Madame. Vous avez des pains au chocolat aujourd'hui ? (Hello Madam. Do you have any pain au chocolat today?)

- Boulangère: Oui Monsieur, bien sûr. Vous en voulez combien ? (Yes Sir, of course. How many would you like?)

- Client: Je voudrais deux pains au chocolat, s'il vous plaît. (I would like two pain au chocolat, please.)

S

Scenario 3

Addressing a Group of Friends (Plural vous)

- Léa: Salut tout le monde ! Vous êtes prêts pour la soirée de ce soir ? (Hi everyone! Are you ready for tonight's party?)

- Thomas: Oui, nous sommes prêts ! Vous venez avec nous, n'est-ce pas ? (Yes, we are ready! You are coming with us, aren't you?)

- Chloé: Bien sûr ! Vous avez apporté les boissons ? (Of course! Did you bring the drinks?)

S

Scenario 4

Teacher Speaking to a Student (Formal vouvoiement from teacher, vous from student)

- Professeur: Monsieur Martin, vous avez terminé votre devoir ? (Mr. Martin, have you finished your homework?)

- Élève: Non Madame, pas encore. Je suis désolé, je vous le rendrai demain. (No Madam, not yet. I'm sorry, I will hand it in tomorrow.)

- Professeur: D'accord, mais assurez-vous de ne pas prendre de retard. (Alright, but make sure you don't fall behind.)

These dialogues highlight how the choice of tu or vous is instinctively made by native speakers based on the context and relationship, illustrating the seamless integration of this grammatical and social rule into everyday French conversation.

Quick FAQ

Here are quick answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the tu vs vous distinction, designed to clarify common points of confusion for learners.
  • Q: What should I use if I am unsure whether to tutoyer or vouvoyer someone?
  • A: Always default to vous. It is the safer and more respectful choice. No one will be offended by excessive politeness, but using tu inappropriately can cause offense.
  • Q: Does vous always mean formal?
  • A: No, not always in terms of social implication. While vous is the formal singular "you," it is also the required plural "you" for any group, regardless of how close you are to the individuals in that group. In the plural context, it carries no inherent formality.
  • Q: Can I use tu with my colleagues at work?
  • A: It depends on the workplace culture. In very traditional or hierarchical environments, vous is standard. In more modern, informal settings (especially among younger staff or in creative industries), tu might be common. Observe what others use, or wait for an invitation to tutoyer from a colleague or superior. When in doubt, start with vous.
  • Q: How do I know when it's okay to switch from vous to tu with someone?
  • A: The most reliable way is when the other person explicitly invites you to tutoyer them, often by asking "On peut se tutoyer ?" (Can we use tu with each other?) or "Tu peux me tutoyer" (You can use tu with me). You generally should not initiate the switch yourself, especially with elders or superiors, unless the relationship has clearly become very close and informal.
  • Q: Is it rude if I continue to vouvoyer someone after they've invited me to tutoyer?
  • A: Yes, it can be perceived as slightly awkward or even a rejection of their offer of familiarity. It suggests you wish to maintain distance, which might be hurtful or confusing to the other person. It's best to accept the invitation.
  • Q: Do I tutoyer or vouvoyer a service animal (like a guide dog)?
  • A: For animals, tu is always used, even for service animals. The formality is directed towards the human handler, not the animal itself. So, you would tutoyer the dog but vouvoyer its owner.
  • Q: Does the use of tu or vous affect adjectives or nouns?
  • A: Yes, when they function as possessive adjectives (ton/ta/tes for tu, votre/vos for vous) or reflexive pronouns (te for tu, vous for vous). Other adjectives describing the person (e.g., content/contente) will still agree in gender and number with the person themselves, regardless of the tu/vous choice.

Verb Conjugation Comparison

Pronoun Verb (Parler) Verb (Être) Verb (Avoir)
Tu
parles
es
as
Vous
parlez
êtes
avez

Meanings

These are the two ways to say 'you' in French, depending on the social relationship and the number of people addressed.

1

Informal Singular

Addressing one person you are close to.

“Tu vas bien ?”

“Tu veux manger ?”

2

Formal Singular

Addressing one person you don't know or who is in a position of authority.

“Vous êtes monsieur Dupont ?”

“Vous avez l'heure ?”

3

Plural

Addressing two or more people.

“Vous êtes tous là ?”

“Vous voulez du café ?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Tu vs Vous: Formal and Informal You
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Tu + Verb
Tu parles
Affirmative
Vous + Verb
Vous parlez
Negative
Tu + ne + Verb + pas
Tu ne parles pas
Negative
Vous + ne + Verb + pas
Vous ne parlez pas
Question
Verb + tu ?
Parles-tu ?
Question
Verb + vous ?
Parlez-vous ?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Comment allez-vous ?

Comment allez-vous ? (Greeting)

Neutral
Comment ça va ?

Comment ça va ? (Greeting)

Informal
Comment vas-tu ?

Comment vas-tu ? (Greeting)

Slang
Ça va ?

Ça va ? (Greeting)

The Tu-Vous Decision Tree

Addressing Someone

One Person

  • Tu Friend/Family
  • Vous Stranger/Boss

Multiple People

  • Vous Everyone
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Examples by Level

1

Tu es mon ami.

You are my friend.

2

Vous êtes le professeur ?

Are you the teacher?

3

Vous êtes mes amis.

You are my friends.

4

Tu habites ici ?

Do you live here?

1

Comment vas-tu ?

How are you?

2

Comment allez-vous ?

How are you?

3

Vous voulez du café ?

Do you want coffee?

4

Tu peux m'aider ?

Can you help me?

1

Je vous remercie de votre aide.

I thank you for your help.

2

Tu devrais essayer ce plat.

You should try this dish.

3

Vous êtes tous invités.

You are all invited.

4

Est-ce que tu viens avec nous ?

Are you coming with us?

1

Pourriez-vous me dire l'heure ?

Could you tell me the time?

2

On se tutoie ?

Shall we use 'tu'?

3

Vous semblez très occupé.

You seem very busy.

4

Tu as vraiment de la chance.

You are really lucky.

1

Je vous saurais gré de bien vouloir répondre.

I would be grateful if you would reply.

2

Tu ne te rends pas compte de la situation.

You don't realize the situation.

3

Veuillez vous asseoir.

Please sit down.

4

Tu es libre ce soir ?

Are you free tonight?

1

Il convient que vous preniez une décision.

It is appropriate that you make a decision.

2

Tu es bien audacieux de dire cela.

You are quite bold to say that.

3

Vous autres, vous ne comprenez rien.

You lot, you don't understand anything.

4

Tu te souviens de notre enfance ?

Do you remember our childhood?

Easily Confused

Tu vs Vous: Formal and Informal You vs Tu vs Vous

Learners often use 'tu' for everyone because English only has 'you'.

Tu vs Vous: Formal and Informal You vs Vous (Formal) vs Vous (Plural)

They look the same, which is confusing.

Tu vs Vous: Formal and Informal You vs On vs Nous

Learners mix up 'on' (informal we) with 'tu'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Tu êtes

✓

Tu es

Conjugation error.
✗

Vous parles

✓

Vous parlez

Wrong ending.
✗

Tu pour le groupe

✓

Vous pour le groupe

Tu is only for one person.
✗

Vous pour mon chien

✓

Tu pour mon chien

Pets are 'tu'.
✗

Tu pour mon patron

✓

Vous pour mon patron

Respect hierarchy.
✗

Vous pour mon frère

✓

Tu pour mon frère

Family is 'tu'.
✗

Tu pour un inconnu

✓

Vous pour un inconnu

Stranger requires respect.
✗

Switching tu/vous mid-convo

✓

Stay consistent

Confusing for the listener.
✗

Vous for a child

✓

Tu for a child

Children are always 'tu'.
✗

Tu for a judge

✓

Vous for a judge

Authority requires 'vous'.
✗

Overusing vous

✓

Use tu when invited

Can sound cold.
✗

Overusing tu

✓

Use vous for respect

Can sound rude.
✗

Using tu for a group

✓

Vous for a group

Grammar error.
✗

Using vous for a pet

✓

Tu for a pet

Cultural norm.

Sentence Patterns

___ es mon ami.

___ allez bien ?

Est-ce que ___ habitez ici ?

___ veux venir avec moi ?

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

Tu fais quoi ?

Job interview very common

Pourriez-vous m'en dire plus ?

Ordering at a cafe very common

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.

Social media common

Tu as vu cette vidéo ?

Travel (asking directions) common

Excusez-moi, où est la gare ?

Food delivery app occasional

Votre commande arrive.

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💡

When in doubt, use vous

It is always safer to be formal than informal.
⚠️

Don't mix them

Using 'tu' and 'vous' in the same sentence is confusing.
🎯

Watch for the invitation

Wait for the other person to say 'On se tutoie ?' before switching to 'tu'.
💬

Children are always tu

Even if you don't know them, children are addressed as 'tu'.

Smart Tips

Start with 'vous'.

Tu t'appelles comment ? → Comment vous appelez-vous ?

Always use 'vous'.

Tu êtes tous là ? → Vous êtes tous là ?

Use 'tu'.

Comment vous appelez-vous ? → Comment t'appelles-tu ?

Use 'vous'.

Tu es le directeur ? → Êtes-vous le directeur ?

Pronunciation

voo-zet

Liaison

In 'vous êtes', the 's' in 'vous' is pronounced like a 'z'.

Question

Tu vas bien ? ↗

Rising pitch at the end for questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Tu is for Two (people you know), Vous is for Vast (groups) or Very formal.

Visual Association

Imagine a 'T' for 'Tiny' circle of friends (Tu) and a 'V' for 'Vast' crowd (Vous).

Rhyme

Use tu for a friend you know, use vous for a group or a pro.

Story

Pierre meets his friend Marc and says 'Tu'. Then he meets his boss and says 'Vous'. Finally, he speaks to his team and says 'Vous'.

Word Web

amifamilleinconnupatrongrouperespect

Challenge

Spend 5 minutes today identifying if you would use 'tu' or 'vous' for 10 people you see in your day.

Cultural Notes

The transition to 'tu' is a big deal. It often happens over a drink.

People in Quebec use 'tu' much more quickly than in France.

They are very formal and stick to 'vous' longer.

The distinction comes from Latin 'tu' (singular) and 'vos' (plural).

Conversation Starters

“

Tu habites où ?

“

Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ?

“

Est-ce que tu aimes le cinéma ?

“

Pourriez-vous m'indiquer le chemin ?

Journal Prompts

Write a dialogue between you and a new friend.
Write a dialogue between you and a hotel receptionist.
Describe a time you used the wrong pronoun.
Discuss the social implications of the T-V distinction.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ (Tu/Vous) es mon ami.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu
Friend = tu.
Fill in the blank.

___ (Tu/Vous) êtes le professeur ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous
Teacher = vous.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Tu êtes mon patron.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous êtes mon patron.
Boss = vous.
Change to formal. Sentence Transformation

Tu habites ici ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous habitez ici ?
Formal = vous.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Comment allez-vous ? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais bien.
Response to vous.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

vous / êtes / qui / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Qui êtes-vous ?
Formal question.
Match the pronoun to the context. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-A, 2-B
Tu=Friend, Vous=Group.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ (Tu/Vous) voulez du café ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous
Plural/Formal.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ (Tu/Vous) es mon ami.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu
Friend = tu.
Fill in the blank.

___ (Tu/Vous) êtes le professeur ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous
Teacher = vous.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Tu êtes mon patron.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous êtes mon patron.
Boss = vous.
Change to formal. Sentence Transformation

Tu habites ici ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous habitez ici ?
Formal = vous.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Comment allez-vous ? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais bien.
Response to vous.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

vous / êtes / qui / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Qui êtes-vous ?
Formal question.
Match the pronoun to the context. Match Pairs

1. Tu, 2. Vous

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-A, 2-B
Tu=Friend, Vous=Group.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ (Tu/Vous) voulez du café ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous
Plural/Formal.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

5 exercises
Talking to a child. Fill in the Blank

Salut ! ___ t'appelles comment ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu
In a job interview, which is correct? Multiple Choice

How do you ask 'Are you ready?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous êtes prêt ?
Translate 'Are you guys coming?' Translation

Are you guys coming?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous venez ?
Match the pronoun to the context. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Your best friend: `tu` / Your teacher: `vous` / A group of cats: `vous` / A toddler: `tu`
Reorder the sentence: 'Are you working?' (Formal) Sentence Reorder

travaillez / ? / Vous

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous travaillez ?

Score: /5

FAQ (8)

Only if they invite you to. Otherwise, use 'vous'.

No, it is also the plural form for everyone.

Apologize and switch to 'vous'. It happens!

Yes, pets are always 'tu'.

Yes, 'tu' ends in -s, 'vous' ends in -ez.

Yes, for formal address.

When the relationship becomes closer or you are invited to.

Yes, but 'tu' is more common than in France.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tú/Usted

Spanish has more regional variation.

German high

Du/Sie

German 'Sie' is always capitalized.

Japanese low

Anata/Kimi

Japanese avoids pronouns entirely.

Arabic moderate

Anta/Anti

Arabic distinguishes gender in the singular.

Chinese moderate

Ni/Nin

Chinese 'nin' is only for singular.

English none

You

English lost the T-V distinction.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Subject Pronouns (Je, Tu, Il, Elle...)
Next
Using Nous vs On: How to Sound Professional (`nous` / `on`)

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