When you meet an unfamiliar adult in France, start with vous. It is a polite, low-risk default. Move to tu with friends, children, and people who invite it. This is not a test with one permanent right answer: age, setting, region, workplace habits, and the people involved all matter.
French has two everyday ways to say “you”. Tu is singular and familiar. Vous can address several people, but it also addresses one person politely. The useful travel skill is not predicting everyone perfectly. It is noticing the setting, beginning respectfully when unsure, and following the relationship as it becomes warmer.
A useful starting point
- Vous
- Use it for an unfamiliar adult, a staff member, an official situation, or a first conversation where you want to keep some distance.
- Tu
- Expect it with close friends, family, many children, and often among peers who already know one another.
- Vous for a group
- Use vous when speaking to more than one person, even if they are friends. Context tells you whether it means plural “you” or polite singular “you”.
Listen for the verb, not only the pronoun
The choice changes the verb too. Compare Tu habites ici ? with Vous habitez ici ?. Both mean “Do you live here?” but the ending changes from -es to -ez. The same pattern appears in useful phrases such as tu veux / vous voulez and tu peux / vous pouvez.
Choose a context
Four encounters, two possible forms
Pick the version you would begin with. Each recommendation explains the context rather than marking you wrong. The full examples below remain available even if JavaScript is off.
01
A new neighbour
You meet an adult neighbour for the first time in the stairwell.
Read both versions
Tu habites ici ?
Do you live here? Familiar singular.
Vous habitez ici ?
Do you live here? Polite singular.
02
Asking a staff member
You need help from a museum employee you have not met.
Read both versions
Bonjour, tu as une minute ?
Hello, do you have a minute? Familiar singular.
Bonjour, vous avez une minute ?
Hello, do you have a minute? Polite singular.
03
After an invitation
A host says you can be less formal after you have talked for a while.
Read both versions
Tu habites ici depuis longtemps ?
Have you lived here long? Familiar singular.
Vous habitez ici depuis longtemps ?
Have you lived here long? Polite singular.
04
A group of friends
You are checking whether two friends are ready to leave.
Read both versions
Tu es prĂŞt ?
Are you ready? Familiar singular, speaking to one man or using the masculine default.
Vous ĂŞtes prĂŞts ?
Are you ready? Plural “you”, speaking to a mixed or male group.
Start with the setting. Choose a line above to see a practical recommendation.
When the relationship changes
People sometimes propose a switch themselves. On peut se tutoyer ? means “Can we use tu with each other?” A natural reply is Oui, avec plaisir. You do not need to force the change; continuing with vous is still courteous if the moment is unclear.
A short French scene
From a polite hello to tu
— Bonjour, vous habitez ici ?
Hello, do you live here?
— Oui, depuis deux ans. Et vous ?
Yes, for two years. And you?
— Moi, je viens d'arriver. Je m'appelle Maya.
I have just arrived. My name is Maya.
— Enchanté, moi c'est Paul. On peut se tutoyer ?
Nice to meet you, I am Paul. Can we use tu with each other?
— Oui, avec plaisir. Tu connais le quartier ?
Yes, gladly. Do you know the neighbourhood?
If you are unsure, repair it simply
Starting with vous is rarely a problem. If someone uses tu, you can follow their lead or ask politely: On peut se tutoyer ? If you chose the wrong form, a brief Pardon and a switch is enough. The aim is consideration, not flawless social calculation.
Useful phrases to keep
- Vous habitez ici ? — Do you live here? Polite singular.
- Tu habites ici ? — Do you live here? Familiar singular.
- On peut se tutoyer ? — Can we use tu with each other?
- Oui, avec plaisir. — Yes, gladly.
- Vous êtes prêts ? — Are you ready? Plural “you”.
- Pardon, je voulais dire... — Sorry, I meant to say...
