tutoyer
to address someone as 'tu' (informal you)
Intermediate Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/ty.twa.je/
💡
Cultural Note
The act of switching from 'vous' to 'tu' is a significant social moment in French. The phrase 'on peut se tutoyer ?' is how French people propose this transition. It signals growing closeness. Tutoyer someone without permission can be seen as disrespectful or presumptuous.
📝 Example Sentences
On peut se tutoyer ?
Can we use 'tu' with each other?
En France, on tutoie les enfants.
In France, we address children as 'tu'.