toi et moi
The English phrase "me and you" is translated into French as toi et moi.
This phrase is used to refer to the speaker and one other person.
Which one should you use?
While moi et toi is grammatically possible, the standard idiomatic way to express this in French is toi et moi.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, it is more common and polite to place the second person toi before the first person moi.
Did you know?
- If you travel to certain parts of France, like Picardy, you might hear the word for 'me' pronounced as moè instead of moi.
- The word et is part of a massive family of cognates across Romance languages, appearing as y in Spanish and e in Italian.
- In French, starting a sentence with moi or toi is common for emphasis, but using these 'tonic' pronouns as the sole subject of a verb is grammatically forbidden.
Examples in context
- Il a une réunion d'orientation professionnelle. Donc, aujourd'hui, c'est juste toi et moi.He's got a career guidance meeting. So today it's just me and you.This sentence shows how to use toi et moi to describe a situation involving only two people.Tatoeba #536357 by chtof, translation #327737 by sundown
- Cette collaboration entre vous et moi est crucialeThis collaboration between you and me is crucial
- Moi et vous, nous devons travailler ensembleYou and I must work together
- Toi et moi, on se comprendYou and I, we understand each other
- Moi et toi, on est inséparablesYou and I, we are inseparable
- Toi et moi, on forme une bonne équipe.You and I make a good team.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are planning a trip together.
- GabrielOn part en vacances, toi et moi ?Are we going on vacation, just you and me?
- ManonOui, ce sera génial !Yes, it will be great!
- GabrielJe vais réserver les billets pour nous deux.I am going to book the tickets for both of us.
- ManonParfait, Gabriel, j'ai hâte.Perfect, Gabriel, I can't wait.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, moi, toi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
