Learn the French Word Vouvoyer

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.

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.

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).