Learning French can be fun and useful, especially when you know how to say everyday words like “you.” In French, the word “you” changes depending on who you are talking to and how formal the conversation is. Knowing the right way to say “you” can help you speak more clearly and politely.
In this article, you will learn how to say “you” in French, different forms based on context, and even polite responses. By the end, you’ll feel more confident using this word in conversations with friends, family, or even strangers. Let’s explore how to say “you” in French!
Ways to Say “You” in French
In French, the word “you” can be said in different ways depending on the formality of the situation, the number of people you’re talking to, and your relationship with them. Here are the common ways to say “you” in French, with examples to help you use them correctly:
1. Tu (Pronunciation: too)
Meaning: Informal “you” used with friends, family, and peers.
In a Sentence:
- Tu es mon meilleur ami. (You are my best friend.)
- Tu viens à la fête? (Are you coming to the party?)
2. Vous (Pronunciation: voo)
Meaning: Formal “you” or plural “you” for groups.
In a Sentence:
- Comment allez-vous? (How are you?)
- Vous êtes les bienvenus. (You are welcome.)
3. Toi (Pronunciation: twah)
Meaning: Informal, used for emphasis or when the subject follows the verb.
In a Sentence:
- C’est pour toi. (It’s for you.)
- Toi, tu es toujours en retard! (You are always late!)
4. Te (Pronunciation: tuh)
Meaning: Informal object pronoun, used when the action is directed at “you.”
In a Sentence:
- Je te vois. (I see you.)
- Je vais te téléphoner demain. (I’ll call you tomorrow.)
5. Vous-même (Pronunciation: voo-mem)
Meaning: Yourself (formal or plural).
In a Sentence:
- Faites-le vous-même. (Do it yourself.)
- Vous pouvez vous-même vérifier les résultats. (You can check the results yourself.)
6. Toi-même (Pronunciation: twah-mem)
Meaning: Yourself (informal).
In a Sentence:
- Fais-le toi-même! (Do it yourself!)
- Tu peux toi-même résoudre ce problème. (You can solve this problem yourself.)
7. On (Pronunciation: ohn)
Meaning: Informal “we” or impersonal “you.”
In a Sentence:
- On peut aller au parc. (We/You can go to the park.)
- On ne sait jamais. (You never know.)
8. T’ (Pronunciation: t)
Meaning: Contracted form of “te,” used before vowels.
In a Sentence:
- Je t’aime. (I love you.)
- Je t’entends bien. (I hear you well.)
9. Soi (Pronunciation: swah)
Meaning: Oneself, used formally or in general statements.
In a Sentence:
- Il faut être fidèle à soi. (One must be true to oneself.)
- Chacun doit prendre soin de soi. (Everyone must take care of themselves.)
10. Eux (Pronunciation: uh)
Meaning: Them (sometimes used in contrast when referring to others).
In a Sentence:
- Eux, ils sont toujours en retard. (Them, they are always late.)
- Je préfère parler avec eux. (I prefer talking with them.)
11. Lui (Pronunciation: lwee)
Meaning: Him/her (indirect object pronoun).
In a Sentence:
- Je lui ai parlé hier. (I spoke to him/her yesterday.)
- Donne-lui le livre. (Give him/her the book.)
12. Chacun (Pronunciation: sha-kuhn)
Meaning: Each one or everyone (general “you”).
In a Sentence:
- Chacun doit respecter les règles. (Everyone must follow the rules.)
- Chacun fait de son mieux. (Everyone does their best.)
13. Vous-autres (Pronunciation: voo-zohtr)
Meaning: You all (used in some French-speaking regions).
In a Sentence:
- Vous-autres, vous venez ce soir? (Are you all coming tonight?)
- Vous-autres avez entendu la nouvelle? (Did you all hear the news?)
14. Quelqu’un (Pronunciation: kel-kuhn)
Meaning: Someone (informal or indirect “you”).
In a Sentence:
- Quelqu’un a laissé un message. (Someone left a message.)
- Tu connais quelqu’un ici? (Do you know someone here?)
15. L’un(e) (Pronunciation: lun)
Meaning: One (referring to a person).
In a Sentence:
- L’un d’entre vous doit répondre. (One of you must answer.)
- L’une d’elles est partie tôt. (One of them left early.)
16. Tout le monde (Pronunciation: too luh mohnd)
Meaning: Everyone (general “you”).
In a Sentence:
- Tout le monde doit être prêt à 8h. (Everyone must be ready at 8 a.m.)
- Tout le monde était là. (Everyone was there.)
17. Personne (Pronunciation: pehr-suhn)
Meaning: No one or nobody (implied “you”).
In a Sentence:
- Personne n’est venu. (No one came.)
- Personne ne t’a vu. (Nobody saw you.)
18. Quiconque (Pronunciation: kee-kohnk)
Meaning: Whoever (general “you”).
In a Sentence:
- Quiconque veut participer est le bienvenu. (Whoever wants to join is welcome.)
- Quiconque sait la réponse, dites-le! (Whoever knows the answer, say it!)
19. L’autre (Pronunciation: loh-truh)
Meaning: The other (used for distinguishing).
In a Sentence:
- L’autre personne est arrivée en retard. (The other person arrived late.)
- Parlez à l’autre élève. (Talk to the other student.)
20. Certains (Pronunciation: sehr-tan)
Meaning: Some people (general “you”).
In a Sentence:
- Certains aiment voyager. (Some people like to travel.)
- Certains préfèrent rester à la maison. (Some prefer staying home.)
21. N’importe qui (Pronunciation: nahm-pohr-tuh kee)
Meaning: Anyone (general “you”).
In a Sentence:
- N’importe qui peut essayer. (Anyone can try.)
- Cela pourrait arriver à n’importe qui. (It could happen to anyone.)
22. On-même (Pronunciation: ohn-mem)
Meaning: Oneself (similar to “soi”).
In a Sentence:
- Il faut être honnête avec on-même. (One must be honest with oneself.)
- On-même doit prendre ses responsabilités. (One must take responsibility.)
23. Vous tous (Pronunciation: voo toos)
Meaning: All of you (emphasized).
In a Sentence:
- Vous tous, écoutez-moi! (All of you, listen to me!)
- Vous tous êtes invités à la fête. (All of you are invited to the party.)
24. L’un ou l’autre (Pronunciation: lun oo loh-truh)
Meaning: Either one (implied “you”).
In a Sentence:
- L’un ou l’autre peut répondre. (Either one can answer.)
- Choisissez l’un ou l’autre. (Choose either one.)
25. Le vôtre (Pronunciation: luh voh-truh)
Meaning: Yours (formal or plural).
In a Sentence:
- Ce livre est le vôtre. (This book is yours.)
- La décision finale est la vôtre. (The final decision is yours.)
Other Ways to Say “You” in French
Below is a table with alternative ways to say “you” in French, including their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Vous-autres | voo-zohtr | You all (regional) | Vous-autres venez ce soir? (Are you all coming tonight?) |
| Quelqu’un | kel-kuhn | Someone | Tu connais quelqu’un ici? (Do you know someone here?) |
| L’un(e) | lun | One (person) | L’un de vous doit répondre. (One of you must answer.) |
| Tout le monde | too luh mohnd | Everyone | Tout le monde est prêt? (Is everyone ready?) |
| Personne | pehr-suhn | No one/nobody | Personne ne t’a vu. (Nobody saw you.) |
| Quiconque | kee-kohnk | Whoever | Quiconque sait la réponse, dites-le! (Whoever knows the answer, say it!) |
| L’autre | loh-truh | The other (person) | Parlez à l’autre étudiant. (Talk to the other student.) |
| Certains | sehr-tan | Some people | Certains préfèrent rester à la maison. (Some prefer staying home.) |
| N’importe qui | nahm-pohr-tuh kee | Anyone | N’importe qui peut participer. (Anyone can participate.) |
| On-même | ohn-mem | Oneself | On-même doit être prêt. (One must be ready.) |
| Vous tous | voo toos | All of you | Vous tous êtes invités. (All of you are invited.) |
| L’un ou l’autre | lun oo loh-truh | Either one | Choisissez l’un ou l’autre. (Choose either one.) |
| Le vôtre | luh voh-truh | Yours (formal/plural) | La décision est la vôtre. (The decision is yours.) |
| Chacun | sha-kuhn | Each one | Chacun doit respecter les règles. (Each one must follow the rules.) |
| Eux | uh | Them (contrasting) | Je préfère parler avec eux. (I prefer talking with them.) |
Responses to “You” in French
When someone addresses you using “you” in French, you can respond in different ways depending on the context. Here are some common responses, along with examples to help you sound polite, friendly, or formal when needed:
1. Moi aussi (Pronunciation: mwah oh-see)
Meaning: Me too.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu es génial! (You are awesome!)
Person 2: Moi aussi! (Me too!)
2. Merci beaucoup (Pronunciation: mehr-see boh-koo)
Meaning: Thank you very much.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Vous êtes très gentil. (You are very kind.)
Person 2: Merci beaucoup! (Thank you very much!)
3. De rien (Pronunciation: duh ryan)
Meaning: You’re welcome.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Merci pour ton aide! (Thank you for your help!)
Person 2: De rien. (You’re welcome.)
4. Pas de problème (Pronunciation: pah duh proh-blem)
Meaning: No problem.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Excuse-moi pour le retard. (Sorry for being late.)
Person 2: Pas de problème. (No problem.)
5. C’est gentil (Pronunciation: say zhahn-tee)
Meaning: That’s kind.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu es vraiment attentionné. (You are very thoughtful.)
Person 2: C’est gentil. (That’s kind.)
6. Pareillement (Pronunciation: pah-ray-yeh-mahn)
Meaning: Likewise.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ravi de te voir! (Glad to see you!)
Person 2: Pareillement! (Likewise!)
7. Avec plaisir (Pronunciation: ah-vek pleh-zeer)
Meaning: With pleasure.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Merci pour votre aide. (Thank you for your help.)
Person 2: Avec plaisir! (With pleasure!)
8. Moi de même (Pronunciation: mwah duh mem)
Meaning: Same to you.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Bon week-end! (Have a good weekend!)
Person 2: Moi de même! (Same to you!)
9. Aucun souci (Pronunciation: oh-kun soo-see)
Meaning: No worries.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Désolé pour l’attente. (Sorry for the wait.)
Person 2: Aucun souci. (No worries.)
10. Bien sûr (Pronunciation: byan soor)
Meaning: Of course.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu peux m’aider, s’il te plaît? (Can you help me, please?)
Person 2: Bien sûr! (Of course!)
Exercise to Practice “You” in French
Complete the sentences below by filling in the correct form of “you” in French. Choose from the options provided or use what you’ve learned.
Fill-in-the-Blanks:
- ____ es mon meilleur ami. (Options: Tu, Vous)
- Je ____ vois tous les jours à l’école. (Options: te, vous)
- ____ venez au cinéma ce soir? (Options: Tu, Vous)
- C’est un cadeau pour ____. (Options: toi, vous)
- Faites-le ____, s’il vous plaît. (Options: vous-même, toi-même)
- Je ____ remercie pour votre aide précieuse. (Options: te, vous)
- ____ devez terminer vos devoirs avant demain. (Options: Tu, Vous)
- Puis-je parler avec ____ après le cours? (Options: toi, vous)
- Est-ce que ____ voulez du thé ou du café? (Options: tu, vous)
- Elle parle toujours de ____. (Options: toi, vous)
- Donne-le à ____. (Options: lui, toi)
- ____ êtes très gentils avec moi. (Options: Vous, Tu)
Answers:
- Tu es mon meilleur ami. (You are my best friend.)
- Je te vois tous les jours à l’école. (I see you every day at school.)
- Vous venez au cinéma ce soir? (Are you coming to the movies tonight?)
- C’est un cadeau pour toi. (It’s a gift for you.)
- Faites-le vous-même, s’il vous plaît. (Do it yourself, please.)
- Je vous remercie pour votre aide précieuse. (I thank you for your valuable help.)
- Vous devez terminer vos devoirs avant demain. (You must finish your homework by tomorrow.)
- Puis-je parler avec toi après le cours? (Can I speak with you after class?)
- Est-ce que vous voulez du thé ou du café? (Do you want tea or coffee?)
- Elle parle toujours de toi. (She always talks about you.)
- Donne-le à lui. (Give it to him.)
- Vous êtes très gentils avec moi. (You are very kind to me.)
Conclusion
Understanding how to say “you” in French is essential for having clear and polite conversations. French has different forms of “you” depending on the level of formality, the number of people being addressed, and the situation. Using the right form helps you communicate respectfully and confidently.
Keep practicing these forms in real-life conversations. Whether you’re talking to friends using “tu,” being polite with “vous,” or emphasizing someone with “toi,” you’ll sound more natural as you speak. The more you practice, the easier it will become to switch between formal and informal expressions in French. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)