What register is Vous le connaissez ?

Question

Vous le connaissez!

You know him!

Which register is this (formal, polite, or friendly)? How would it be translated in that register?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I would say that the formal register should be "Le connaissez-vous?". The polite register should be "Vous le connaissez?". And, finally, the friendly register should be "Tu le connais?"

Just remember that "Vous" is used for the formal and polite register, and "Tu" is used for the friendly register.

I hope that helped!

Answer 2

Vous est une forme de politesse et de respect.

Answer 3

Bonsoir Sandy,

Assuming "vous" refers to one person, this would fall under the "formal" register because "vous" usually shows respect or formal-ness.

English language doesn't differentiate between "tu" and "vous" so it would be the same translation as "Tu le connais!"

To "remedy" the lack of differentiation, I may say "Sir/Miss/Ma'am, you do know him!" to add that element of formalness that gets lost in the translation.

Hope that helps!

Answer 4

Hello Sandy. If you are speaking to one person when asking this question it would be considered "formal" register because vous is used formally when addressing one person. If you are speaking to a group then it would not be formal.