How to Say “You” in Russian

Ways to say it

In Russian, 'you' is used to address the person or people being spoken to. The choice of word depends on whether you are speaking to one person or many, and how much respect or familiarity is required. Use ты for a single person in a familiar, informal context, such as with friends, family or children. Use вы or Вы for a single person in a polite or formal context, or to address a group of people.

Which one should you use?

The singular form ты is used for one person in a familiar context. The forms вы and Вы are used for the polite singular or the plural. Specifically, the lowercase вы is used when addressing a group of two or more people, regardless of how well you know them. The capitalized Вы is used when addressing a single person in formal writing or highly respectful speech.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

ты is the informal, familiar form used with people you know very well. Вы is the polite, formal form used when addressing a single person respectfully. In very formal settings, men may be addressed as Господин (Mr. or Sir) and women as Госпожа (Mrs. or Madam).

Related words

The individual or group spoken/written to (det): ты, вы.

To address using the more formal second-person pronoun (verb): вы́кать, обраща́ться на «Вы».

How does it change in a sentence?

While ты addresses one person, вы and Вы function as both the polite singular and the plural 'you'.

How do you pronounce it?

ty

What mistakes should you avoid?

Be careful not to use the familiar ты with strangers or superiors, as this can be perceived as rude or overly aggressive in Russian culture.

When do people say it?

Russian culture places importance on the distinction between familiar and formal address. When addressing individuals in formal situations, terms like Господин for men and Госпожа for women may be used to convey respect.