Formal/Informal Speech
In French, choosing between formal and informal speech shapes how speakers show respect, closeness, or social distance. This guide dives into when to use vous versus tu, how to switch tones, and key expressions for each register.
Vous
Use vous to address strangers, elders, superiors, or anyone in a professional or respectful context. Vous maintains polite distance and signals regard for the other person's status or privacy.
| French Sentence | English Sentence |
|---|---|
| Pouvez-vous m'aider ? | Can you help me? |
| Je vous remercie. | I thank you. / Thank you. |
| Vous souhaitez autre chose ? | Would you like anything else? |
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Tu
Use tu with friends, family, peers, and anyone who has given permission to be informal. Tu creates warmth and immediacy, and it speeds up conversation with shorter forms.
| French Sentence | English Sentence |
|---|---|
| Tu viens ce soir ? | Are you coming tonight? |
| Merci, tu es sympa. | Thanks, you’re nice. |
| Tu veux un verre ? | Do you want a drink? |
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Switching from Vous to Tu
Shifting from vous to tu usually requires mutual agreement, often signaled by one person saying "On peut se tutoyer ?" or "Veux-tu qu'on se tutoie ?". Switching too soon can seem rude, while waiting too long may feel distant.
| French Expression | English Expression |
|---|---|
| On peut se tutoyer ? | Can we use tu? |
| Veux-tu qu'on se tutoie ? | Do you want us to use tu? |
| D'accord, tu peux me tutoyer. | Okay, you can use tu with me. |
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Formal Expressions
Formal speech favors full phrases, polite formulas, and sometimes passive constructions to soften requests. Set phrases like "Je vous serais reconnaissant de…" add tact and professionalism.
| French Expression | English Expression |
|---|---|
| Je vous prie de bien vouloir… | Please kindly… |
| Seriez-vous disponible pour… ? | Would you be available to…? |
| Je vous serais reconnaissant de… | I would be grateful if you… |
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Informal Expressions
Informal speech uses contractions, slang, and shortcuts like dropping pronouns or endings. Expressions like "Ça te dit de…" or "T’as envie de…" make invitations casual and friendly.
| French Expression | English Expression |
|---|---|
| Ça te dit de… ? | Do you want to…? |
| T’as envie de… ? | Do you feel like…? |
| On se voit ce soir ? | See you tonight? |
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Summary
Use vous for politeness and distance, tu for closeness and ease. Ask before switching to tu, and match expressions to the situation: formal phrases for respect, informal ones for friendliness. Practicing both registers helps you navigate social nuances smoothly.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025