tu étais
In French, tu étais means "you were".
This phrase is the past tense form of the verb 'to be' used with the second person singular pronoun.
Which one should you use?
tu étais is used when speaking to one person whom you know well or who is a child. In contrast, vous étiez is used when speaking to a group of people or to one person in a formal or respectful context.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the form tu étais, étais is the past tense conjugation of the verb 'être' for the informal second-person pronoun tu. In the form vous étiez, étiez is the past tense conjugation of the verb 'être' for the formal second-person pronoun vous.
Did you know?
- The choice between tu étais and vous étiez is so critical that 'tutoiement' (the act of using tu) is a specific social transition that often requires a mutual agreement between adults.
- In older French literature, you may see tu used when addressing God, a practice known as singular address that emphasizes a personal and intimate relationship.
- In some regions of France, using tu étais instead of vous étiez with a superior was historically seen as an act of rebellion or extreme defiance.
Examples in context
- Tu étais si forte.You were so strong.This sentence is useful for describing a person's strength using tu étais.Tatoeba #5597129 by Aiji, translation #2548455 by CK
- Tu étais en danger.You were in danger.This sentence is useful for describing a state of being in danger using tu étais.Tatoeba #6637492 by Aiji, translation #2647739 by CK
- Tu étais derrière ça.You were the one behind this.This sentence is useful for describing someone being behind something using tu étais.Tatoeba #13457637 by sacredceltic, translation #3476746 by Hybrid
- Pendant la réunion, vous étiez très calme.During the meeting, you were very calm.
- 453 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are reminiscing about their childhood.
- EmmaTu étais très calme quand tu étais petit.You were very calm when you were little.
- GabrielC'est vrai, je ne faisais pas de bêtises.It's true, I didn't get into any trouble.
- EmmaTu étais vraiment un enfant sage.You were truly a well-behaved child.
- GabrielMerci, c'est gentil de le dire.Thanks, that's kind of you to say.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
