duzen
to address someone informally (using 'du')
Advanced Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/ˈduːtsn̩/
💡
Cultural Note
Duzen signals closeness, equality, and informality. Among younger Germans and in progressive workplaces, the trend is increasingly toward du. However, switching from Sie to du is a conscious social act — in some traditions, it is even sealed with a drink (Bruderschaft trinken).
📝 Example Sentences
Unter Studenten duzt man sich.
Among students, people use 'du' with each other.
Du kannst mich ruhig duzen.
You can go ahead and use 'du' with me.
Wir duzen uns seit dem ersten Tag.
We've been on 'du' terms since day one.