vousoyer

Senses

1. 1.

   to address (someone) formally using 'vous'

   Use the formal second-person plural pronoun 'vous' when speaking to or about someone

Examples

• "En France, on vousoie généralement les professeurs et les personnes âgées."

  In France, people generally address teachers and elderly people formally using 'vous'.

• "Il est important de vousoyer les clients dans un contexte professionnel."

  It is important to use formal 'vous' with clients in a professional context.

• "Les enfants apprennent à vousoyer les adultes dès l'école."

  Children learn to address adults formally using 'vous' from school onward.

Usage

This verb is the formal counterpart to *tutoyer* (to use informal 'tu'). It reflects French social conventions around politeness and distance. Common in discussions of etiquette and social interaction.