👥 Understanding the Plural of “You” in French (Tu vs. Vous)
In English, the word “you” can mean one person or several people. But in French, the distinction is very important. French uses two forms:
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tu → singular “you” (informal)
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vous → plural “you” (formal or informal)
This guide will help you understand the difference and how to use the plural of “you” correctly in French.
1. Tu vs. Vous: The Basics
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| tu | when speaking to one person you know well (friend, family, child) | Tu es mon ami. → You are my friend. |
| vous | when speaking to more than one person | Vous êtes mes amis. → You are my friends. |
| vous | also used for formal singular (respect or politeness) | Vous êtes très gentil. → You are very kind. (to one person, politely) |
👉 So “vous” can mean either plural you OR polite you (singular formal).
2. The Plural of “You”
When you are talking to two or more people, you always use vous.
Examples:
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Vous êtes étudiants. → You are students.
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Vous parlez français ? → Do you speak French?
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Je vous invite à dîner. → I invite you (all) to dinner.
👉 Here, vous clearly refers to more than one person.
3. Formal vs. Informal “Vous”
French culture places great importance on tu vs. vous:
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Use tu with friends, children, family, or peers.
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Use vous with strangers, older people, or in professional settings.
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When in doubt, start with vous. People may invite you to use tu (On peut se tutoyer ?).
4. Verb Agreement with Vous
Since vous is grammatically plural, verbs always take the plural form, even when used for one person politely.
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Plural: Vous êtes gentils. → You (all) are kind.
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Formal singular: Vous êtes gentil. → You (sir) are kind.
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Formal singular (to a woman): Vous ĂŞtes gentille.
👉 The verb is always plural (êtes, parlez, avez), but the adjective agreement depends on the person’s gender/number.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using tu with strangers → This may sound rude.
❌ Forgetting verb agreement with vous.
❌ Mixing up plural and formal usage.
6. Examples in Sentences
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Tu es mon meilleur ami. → You are my best friend (one person, informal).
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Vous êtes mes voisins. → You are my neighbors (plural).
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Bonjour Madame, vous êtes nouvelle ici ? → Hello Madam, are you new here? (polite singular).
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Vous parlez trop vite ! → You speak too fast! (to one or more people).
âś… Quick Recap
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tu = singular, informal
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vous = plural (always), OR singular formal/polite
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Verbs with vous always take the plural form (êtes, parlez, avez…)
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Use vous in formal situations or when addressing several people
🎯 Practice Exercise
Translate into French:
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You are my teacher. (formal singular)
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You are my friends. (plural)
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Do you speak English? (to a stranger)
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You are very nice. (to one friend, informal)
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Are you students? (to a group)
Conclusion
Understanding the plural of “you” in French is crucial. While English uses just you for everyone, French makes a strong distinction between tu (informal singular) and vous (plural or formal). Using the right form shows respect, politeness, and helps you sound natural in French.
👉 Pro tip: If you’re unsure, use vous — it’s safer and more polite.
TAGS
- Tu vs vous in French
- Plural of you in French
- French grammar basics pronouns
- When to use tu and vous in French
- Examples of vous as plural and polite singular