вы
vy[vɨ]
The Russian phrase for "do you" is вы (vy).
вы is a pronoun used to address a person or a group of people. In written correspondence, the word is sometimes capitalized as Вы to show extreme respect to a single recipient, although the lowercase вы is the standard form used in general text.
Which one should you use?
вы is used for addressing a group of people or for addressing a single person in a formal or polite manner. It is the formal counterpart to the informal singular pronoun ты.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using verbs with вы, they typically end in the suffix -те, such as in the words идите or верите.
How do you pronounce it?
vy
Did you know?
- Switching from the formal вы to the informal ты during a conversation is a significant social milestone in Russia called 'перейти на ты'.
- Some Russian speakers use вы even when talking to pets or inanimate objects as a humorous way to show them mock respect.
- In some highly traditional or old-fashioned contexts, using вы to a spouse or a close family member was once a sign of extreme modesty or refined upbringing.
Examples in context
- Вы идёте с нами?Do you go with us?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use вы in a question about movement.Tatoeba #2481810 by marafon, translation #801045 by vest
- Вы верите в НЛО?Do you believe in UFOs?This sentence shows how to use вы when asking about a belief.Tatoeba #2773034 by marafon, translation #70253 by CK
- Вы в это верите?Do you believe that?This sentence is another way to use вы when asking if someone believes something.Tatoeba #3522702 by marafon, translation #3408844 by CK
- Вы говорите по-русски?Do you speak Russian?
- 5835 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A formal business meeting at a cafe.
- Ольга OlgaВы готовы начать обсуждение?Vy gotovy nachat' obsuzhdeniye?Are you ready to start the discussion?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, я готов.Da, ya gotov.Yes, I am ready.
- Ольга OlgaВы принесли документы?Vy prinesli dokumenty?Did you bring the documents?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, они у меня.Da, oni u menya.Yes, I have them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry вы, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
