Greetings & Formality
Greetings & Formality
French splits 'you' into tu (informal) and vous (formal) — a distinction English dropped centuries ago (English used to have thou/you, but thou died out). Start here before any other vocabulary, because it shapes every conversation you'll have.
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
tu vs vous — a distinction English no longer makes
tu (informal) / vous (formal)
tu (informal) / vous (formal)
Modern English uses 'you' for everyone, so English speakers have to consciously build a habit French speakers get for free. Use vous with elders, strangers, officials, and in professional settings; use tu with close friends, family, children, and (usually) fellow students. One quirk: vous is also the plural 'you all', regardless of formality — so vous can mean 'you (formal, one person)' or 'you (any number of people)', and only context tells you which.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR | Hello / Good day |
| Bonsoir | bohn-SWAHR | Good evening |
| Au revoir | oh ruh-VWAHR | Goodbye (formal) |
| Salut | sah-LU | Hi / Bye (informal) |
| Merci | mair-SEE | Thanks |
| S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLEH | Please (formal) |
| Oui | wee | Yes |
| Non | nohn | No |
| Comment ça va ? | koh-mahn sah VAH | How are you? (casual) |
| Ça va bien | sah vah bee-AHN | I'm doing well |