How do I know wether to use TOI or Vous meaning YOU in french?
2007-12-14 11:01:09 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Toi <--- informal (to your pets, friends, people you know really well) People that you would say "hey! what's up!" to.
Vous <---- formal (to your teachers, the elderly, etc) People that you need to show respect to or you don't know very well. OR, you use it when you're talking to a group of people. Like... "can YOU GUYS......" you guys = vous also.
<3
2007-12-14 11:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by ^^PaperHeart^^ 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
This is the third instance I can think of where Obama apologizes for his country. Here is the problem. He is basically pinning the world's problems on the United States. We did not create all the world's problems. I have no problem with the idea that we have made mistakes because we have. However, as the President you do not go out and prostrate yourself and your country before the world. You do not bow down to foreign monarchs. It is okay to say that mistakes have been made and that we should work to resolve differences. It is not okay to shame your country outwardly. I know Obama supporters have a hard time understanding the difference. One promotes the idea that you are willing to work together diplomatically. The other promotes the idea that you are weak and lack true leadership. No other President in the history of the nation has ever acted so shamefully towards his country, or his predecessors and it was a sad day for the United States.
2016-05-24 00:01:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's two reasons:
A) You would use vous if you're not on a first-name basis with a person. It's used to be respectful
B) If you're talking about a general group of people. In English, we would say something like "How are you guys doing?" See? You were talking to more than one person when you said YOU.
2007-12-14 18:22:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
French is a more formal language than English. When you use the word vous, it means "you" in plural, but it's also the proper and polite way to address someone who is your superior (ie your boss if you are working; your teacher if you are a student, or your elders, and so forth). Once the person who is the superior has given you permission, you may address them as "tu" which is informal or singular "YOU."
2007-12-14 11:17:16 · answer #4 · answered by Advantage-ME 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
toi is tu which is used when talking to a person same age and vous is to show respect and used when talking to older people like teachers.
2007-12-14 11:04:22 · answer #5 · answered by GSW 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
If you're speaking to more than one person (or even more than one animal or houseplant), it's simple, it's always "vous".
If you're speaking to one person, it's more complicated.
One child is always "toi/tu" (royalty may be an exception).
One animal is always "toi/tu".
If you do speak to a plant, "toi/tu".
If you're speaking to a relative, use "toi/tu"--but if you do have relatives you speak to in French you probably wouldn't be asking.
If you're speaking to a schoolmate or close friend, use "toi/tu". I find I also use "toi/tu" on the Internet in French, even with strangers. I don't know if that's strictly speaking ok.
If you're speaking to someone you're dealing with in business, use "vous" unless they tell you otherwise. Same goes for your teachers. Or if you're the senior one, you get to decide.
I know I don't always get it right. I call my inlaws "vous" but they call me "toi" which is a bit weird. Some of my husband's other older relations have told me to use "toi" so I usually do, and I do with the relatives of our own generation (and lower), even if we're not really close.
Final point: Quebecers are quicker to say "toi/tu" than are Europeans (just as all North Americans are quicker to use first names).
2007-12-14 11:59:36 · answer #6 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
"Tu" (nominative or subject form of "toi") is a familiar form of "you," equivalent to the almost-obsolete English "thou." It's used to children and close friends and is always singular. "Vous" is used whenever you're addressing more than one person, no matter how close to them you are, and it's used in the singular to anyone older, higher in rank (like your boss), or just less well-known to you. When in doubt, use "vous." If the person you're addressing finds it too formal, he or she will probably let you know.
2007-12-14 11:57:54 · answer #7 · answered by aida 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
"Vous" can be "you" either in the plural or the singular.
When it is singular, it is a more formal way of speaking, or used with a person who is older, or higher in rank, or simply with whom we are not all that familiar.
"Tu" is the singular form when speaking familiarly, to a friend or family member.
EDIT: "tu" is the subject of a sentence, while "toi" is direct object if it follows the verb.
"It is you" C'est toi.
"You are here" Tu es ici.
2007-12-14 11:07:16 · answer #8 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
generally toi is for singular (if you're talking to one person)
and vous is for plural (if you're talking to 2 or more people)
but sometimes out of respect you can address to one person using vous it's more formal and respectful, like someone with an important post.
2007-12-14 11:07:14 · answer #9 · answered by nino 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Toi is informal ''you'' when you speak to your buddies, or someone you know.
Vous is more formal and is used with elderly, the boss of the company, or people you don't know and want to appear more formal. Once a contact is made, the person normally tell you when you can call them less informally. This is probably the equivalent of when you would use Mr Smith until the person tells you...just call me John.
2007-12-14 11:05:16 · answer #10 · answered by Aurora79 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋