How do you decide whether to use "vous" or "tu"? / Comment choisir entre «vous» et «tu»?

Question

When talking to someone, how do you decide when to use "vous" or "tu"?Example:> Comment allez-vous?*or* > Comment vas-tu? ---Comment choisir entre *vous* et *tu* quand on s'adresse à quelqu'un?

Answer 1

Rule of thumb would be to ALWAYS start with "vous" unless you're speaking to a child and then you automatically use "tu". Work colleagues tend to "se tutoyer" (call each other tu) immediately, so if you're in that situation, listen to what they're doing and follow suit. They may or not be using "vous" with the boss or higher-ups.

Sometimes you just have to ask if it's okay to "tutoye" someone -- e.g., an acquaintance with whom you've become friendly, or parent of a child in same school as yours. I would advise that being the foreigner (i.e., not French), your best bet is to "vousvoye" someone until s/he changes the tone and thus the grammar.

Answer 2

Hey there !

Use "vous" when...

a. you are speaking to more than one person. Therefore, if you speaking to two or more people at once when inquiring "How are you?", you would say "Comment allez-vous?"

b. you are speaking to someone in a formal manner. For example, if you are speaking with a professor, an elder, or anyone else with whom you are not on familiar terms. The vous form is more respectful.

Use "tu" when...

a. speaking to a single person with whom you are on familiar terms. For example, when addressing a friend or a sibling.

b. given permission to switch from the vous form. For example, a professor may say that you can use "tu" instead of "vous."

TL;DR version:

Vous: plural and/or formal

Tu: singular and familiar or with permission from someone with whom you would normally use "vous"

If you are unsure if you should address someone formally or not, I would err on the side of caution and use "vous."

I hope this helps !