et toi ?
The English phrase "and you" is translated into French as et toi ?
This phrase is a question used to ask the same thing back to the person who just asked you.
Which one should you use?
et toi ? is used when speaking to a friend, a family member or someone you address as tu. Use et vous ? instead of et toi ? when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase et toi ?, toi is a stressed pronoun (disjunctive pronoun) used after the conjunction et, rather than the subject pronoun tu. In the alternative phrase et vous ?, vous is used as both a formal singular "you" and a plural "you".
Did you know?
- Using et vous ? with a single person is not just about politeness but is often a social 'shield' used to maintain a professional distance in French culture.
- The 't' in the word et was actually removed in Old French, where it was often written simply as e, before being re-added in the 12th century to mimic Latin.
- In very informal spoken French, the et in et toi ? is sometimes swallowed or shortened, making the phrase sound like a quick 't'oi ?'
Examples in context
- Je vais bien. Et toi ?I’m fine. And you?This example shows how to return a greeting about one's well-being using et toi ?Tatoeba #7498138 by tras, translation #7496033 by Ricardo14
- Je suis prêt, et toi ?I'm ready, and you?This example shows how to return a question about readiness using et toi ?Tatoeba #9414102 by sacredceltic, translation #9413341 by Nylez
- Je parle grec, et toi ?I speak Greek, and you?This example shows how to return a question about language ability using et toi ?Tatoeba #9167786 by Julien_PDC, translation #9014321 by liztrigger
- Et toi, comment ça va ?And you, how are you?
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are meeting at a cafe.
- ManonTu veux un café ?Do you want a coffee?
- LucasOui, merci. Et toi ?Yes, thanks. And you?
- ManonMoi aussi, je veux un café.Me too, I want a coffee.
- LucasParfait, commandons alors.Perfect, let's order then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, toi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
