vouvoyer

Senses

1. 1.

   to address someone formally using 'vous'

   to use the formal/plural pronoun 'vous' when addressing someone

Examples

• "En France, on vouvoie les personnes qu'on ne connaît pas bien."

  In France, one addresses strangers formally using 'vous'.

• "Elle a continué à me vouvoyer même après des années de travail ensemble."

  She continued to address me formally with 'vous' even after years of working together.

• "Les enfants français apprennent à vouvoyer les adultes qu'ils rencontrent."

  French children learn to use formal address with adults they meet.

Usage

This verb reflects French social etiquette around formality and respect. The opposite is tutoyer (to use 'tu'). Register: neutral, commonly used in discussions of politeness and French culture. Often used in combination with tutoyer to describe shifts in social relationships.