In Russian, can "мы" be used to refer to "you" in conversation?

Question

>А чего это **мы** такие ворчливые? I just received an IM from my girlfriend, in which she used the pronoun "мы" (jokingly, I suppose) although it was I alone who was grumbling about something in a previous message. I wonder if this is an equivalent of "Aren't **we** grumpy today?" in English and "**On** est ronchon, hein ?" in French? English and French use the pronouns "we/on" to indirectly refer to "you/tu" respectively.

Answer 1

You are correct assuming that it is similar to an English : And why are we so grumpy today? It does imply just you, but it is an emotionally intensified sentence showing her engagement and care by assimilating her and your persons in a collective мы.

Answer 2

Agreeing with the answers, just wanted to add a facet here - also, a king/tsar/emperor would say something like "Мы, Император Всея Руси...." Using We andstead of I was the privilige of kings.

On a different but interesting note, in the pre-1917 Russia, people of lower social status and not too educated such as servants, peasants, etc. used the plural forms of personal pronouns and verbs to indicate respect to those higher on the social ladder. For example, a servant would say Они уже отужинали (They have already dined) when referring to just one copy of his/her master. :)

Answer 3

Using "мы" instead of "ты" usually adds a specific shade of meaning like compassion, and that is why it is often used for babies and small children.

Answer 4

You are correct.Same in English ”Why are we angry today.” they refer toyoy

Answer 5

Evidently, it can be done. Your girlfriend just did it. On the other hand, it is not a literary norm. It can be used either as a joke or in a patronizing manner, when one is talking to a very young child.