French - English English - French dictionary Marguerite

If you’re catching up with a French-speaking friend, old or new, you’ll probably want to ask them how they are, and vice versa. As with English, there are several ways of asking after somebody in French, and a variety of ways to reply as well.

One important thing to bear in mind when addressing others in French is that there are two forms of you: tu, which is singular and familiar; and vous, which is plural and/or formal. If you are chatting to someone new, particularly someone senior to you, then it’s always safest to use the vous form. Many people prefer not to be addressed so formally and may well invite you to address them as tu instead once you get to know them a little