Languages › French Learn the French Word Vouvoyer Print French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on May 26, 2017 This is a very interesting word that the French may use to reprimand someone, or to remind them, or inform them of status. Essentially, vouvoyer (pronounced "voo vwa yay") means to use "vous" with someone. "Vous" is the more formal version of "you", whereas "tu" is informal. Read More How to Use the Major French Verb Vouloir By ThoughtCo Team Example Il faut vouvoyer le chef.You should use "vous" with the boss (equivalent to saying "call him sir"). Related Le vouvoiement - the action of using "vous" with someone. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "Learn the French Word Vouvoyer." ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/vouvoyer-vocabulary-1372741. Team, ThoughtCo. (2021, December 6). Learn the French Word Vouvoyer. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vouvoyer-vocabulary-1372741 Team, ThoughtCo. "Learn the French Word Vouvoyer." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/vouvoyer-vocabulary-1372741 (accessed March 28, 2024). copy citation