Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The DU Lounge

ShazzieB

(22,690 posts)

11. Yes.

Reply to Iggo (Reply #8)

Fri Apr 3, 2026, 01:54 PM

Apr 3

Another example is tu v. vous in French.

As an American, I have always found this distinction between different forms of "you" hard to grasp (not the concept, but how and when to use them). English is a tough language to learn in many ways, but at least this one aspect is simple: in English, "you" means "you," not matter who "you" is.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

electric_blue68

19 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Look who made the cover of Der Spiegel [View all] sinkingfeeling Apr 3 OP

Who is it? CurtEastPoint Apr 3 #1

It's a cover story about the increasing use of informal forms of German in the public sphere (Du versus Sie for instance Celerity Apr 3 #6

Like t versus usted? Iggo Apr 3 #8

tú Celerity Apr 3 #9

Fucking autocorrect. Iggo Apr 3 #17

Yes. ShazzieB Apr 3 #11

I think the most common usage is to use "Sie" when meeting for the first time... Wounded Bear Apr 3 #12

Yes, Sie for first meeting Old Crank Apr 3 #16

LOL EarlG Apr 3 #2

Give Der Spiegel a free years Star Member subscription,.. magicarpet Apr 3 #4

In German, the word "du" is the informal form of "you." wnylib Apr 3 #5

like "tu" and "vous" in French. generalbetrayus Apr 3 #7

Or "tu" and "usted" in Spanish. Marcuse Apr 3 #14

Well done... displacedvermoter Apr 3 #3

Is Melaaaaaaaniaaaaah on the pages in between? twodogsbarking Apr 3 #10

Nah - the Germans have class. erronis Apr 3 #13

I must be so fuckin' DENSE!...... some_of_us_are_sane Apr 3 #15

Actually, since it is a German paper, I think it is saying, "Hey, you!" wnylib Apr 4 #18

Next magazine cover to aspire for... True Dough Apr 4 #19

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Look who made the cover o...»Reply #11