Which one should you use?
The form you choose depends on the gender of the person you are addressing and the level of formality. The default form tu es fou is used when the person being addressed is male. If you are speaking to a woman, you must use the feminine form tu es folle.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of people, you must use the vous form. To address a group of men or a mixed group, use vous êtes fous. Note that the singular tu es fous is grammatically incorrect. In the formal version, vous êtes fou is used for a single person in a formal context, while vous êtes fous is used for a group.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When addressing a woman, remember to change the gender of the adjective. English speakers often forget to change the adjective from fou to folle when speaking to a female.
Did you know?
- There is a surprising connection between the word fou and the Arabic word for 'elephant', al-fīl.
- While tu es fou describes insanity, the term fou can also be used to express an intense passion, such as being fou amoureux to mean 'madly in love'.
- In French, the concept of madness is linked to the word folie, which is also used to describe an extravagant or irrational obsession, such as a 'folie des grandeurs'.
Examples in context
- Tu es fou !You're crazy!This example shows how to express the phrase directly.Tatoeba #829101 by Cocorico, translation #664251 by BlueLagoon
- Je ne crois pas que tu es fou.I don't think you're crazy.This sentence shows a way to deny that someone is crazy.Tatoeba #2990842 by nimfeo, translation #2276234 by CK
- Ne les laisse pas te dire que tu es fou.Don't let them tell you you're crazy.This sentence demonstrates how the phrase can be used when someone else is telling you something.Tatoeba #4139882 by sacredceltic, translation #3730275 by CM
- Tu es fou, mon ami ! J'adore ton sens de l'humour !You're crazy, my friend! I love your sense of humor!
- Vous êtes fou d'avoir sauté en parachute ! C'est incroyable !You're crazy for skydiving! That's incredible!
- T'es folle de partir en voyage toute seule ? Je t'envie !You're crazy for going on a trip all by yourself? I envy you!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about a risky idea.
- EmmaTu veux vraiment sauter de ce pont ?Do you really want to jump from this bridge?
- LucasOui, ce sera génial !Yes, it will be great!
- EmmaMais tu es fou, Lucas !But you're crazy, Lucas!
- LucasJe suis juste un peu aventureux.I am just a little adventurous.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fou, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
