Travel 3 · 06a20fb8e08c38ce6f7c9b435d4b0d3c

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Using vous to be polite

We’ve already seen that vous means you all. But have you noticed that it’s also used to be polite when talking to just one person?

In general, you can use tu in friendly conversations or with children; use vous for more formal interactions or when talking to adults you don’t know.

Monsieur, aimez‑vous le vin ?
Sir, do you like wine ?

Madame, voyagez‑vous avec votre fille ?
Madam, are you traveling with your daughter?

Mademoiselle, voulez‑vous manger quelque chose ?
Miss, do you want to eat something?

Notice that the verb ending for vous is the same whether you’re using it to be polite or to mean you all.

Madame, voulez‑vous du thé ?
Ma’am, do you want some tea?

Voulez‑vous du thé ?
Do you all want some tea?

S’il te plaît vs. S’il vous plaît

Just like tu and vous, s’il te plaît is for talking to friends or children and s’il vous plaît is for more formal interactions or when talking to adults you don’t know.

Literally, both expressions mean if it pleases you!

De rien !

Speaking of politeness, practice using these French expressions throughout your day.

Bonjour !	Hello! / Good morning!
Bonsoir !	Good evening! / Have a good evening!
Bonne nuit !	Good night!
Bonne journée !	Have a great day!
S’il vous plaît !	Please!
Excusez‑moi !	Excuse me! / Sorry!
De rien !	You’re welcome!
Comment allez‑vous ?	How are you?
Au revoir !	Goodbye!

Excusez‑moi can be used to get someone’s attention or to apologize for, say, accidentally stepping on a stranger's foot.

In France, if someone asks Comment allez‑vous ? they typically expect a response (unlike in the United States, where How are you? is sometimes used as as greeting).

Quel train va à Paris ?

To ask a question with what or which, you’ll use quel if the noun is masculine and quelle if it’s feminine.

Masculine	Feminine
Quel train va à Paris ? Which train is going to Paris ?	Quelle est votre profession ? What is your profession?
Quel est votre bagage ? Which one is your luggage?	Quelle est votre destination ? What is your destination?