Formal vs Informal with "Tu"

E. A.B1Kwiziq community member

Formal vs Informal with "Tu"

Hello,

One question I have always been wondering is with the phrase "Comment vas-tu ?"

In this instance, would this be considered a formal or informal question? For example, would you use this phrase with friends? It seems conflicting that the use of "tu" would be formal in the inverse because the nature of "tu" from what I've understood to be quite formal. Could I get some clarification?

Thank you,

Eveline

Asked 2 months ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Eveline, 

To say 

How are you? 

to someone you know very well, who is part of your family or a friend you will use the 'tu' form -

Comment vas-tu ?

If you were addressing someone older, a superior, or someone you don't know well, (or a group of people) you would use the 'vous' form -

Comment allez-vous ?

Take a look at the following lesson which will give you lots of examples -

Using Tu and Vous to express three types of you in French (French Subject Pronouns)

Bonne Continuation !

E. A. asked:View original

Formal vs Informal with "Tu"

Hello,

One question I have always been wondering is with the phrase "Comment vas-tu ?"

In this instance, would this be considered a formal or informal question? For example, would you use this phrase with friends? It seems conflicting that the use of "tu" would be formal in the inverse because the nature of "tu" from what I've understood to be quite formal. Could I get some clarification?

Thank you,

Eveline

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