tutoyer
C1/C2Formal, literary, or linguistic; sometimes used in English to discuss French language/culture.
Definition
Meaning
to address someone using the familiar 'you' pronoun (French 'tu'), indicating informality, intimacy, or condescension.
To be on familiar terms with someone; to treat someone with a lack of formality or deference.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A borrowing from French, used intransitively or transitively in English. It carries the specific cultural and linguistic connotations of the French T-V distinction (tu vs. vous).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both British and American English use the word primarily in contexts discussing French language or culture. No significant dialectal difference.
Connotations
Suggests sophistication or knowledge of French social norms. Can imply inappropriate familiarity if used negatively.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both; found in literary, academic, or travel writing more than everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] tutoyers [Object]It is inappropriate to tutoyer [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to cross the tutoyer threshold”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used in discussing international business etiquette in France: 'You should not tutoyer your French client until invited.'
Academic
Used in linguistics, sociology, or literature papers discussing pronouns and social hierarchy.
Everyday
Very rare. Possibly among bilingual speakers discussing social interactions.
Technical
Linguistic term for a specific pronoun usage pattern.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- It took months before they felt comfortable enough to tutoyer each other.
- One must never tutoyer a magistrate in court.
American English
- She wasn't sure if she should tutoyer her professor from Paris.
- The guidebook warned tourists not to tutoyer waitstaff.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In French class, we learned when it is appropriate to tutoyer someone.
- He made the social error of tutoyering his boss's wife.
- The novel's pivotal scene revolves around the moment the aristocrat finally tutoies the revolutionary, symbolising a breakdown of class barriers.
- Anthropologists study the complex rules governing when to tutoyer and when to vouvoyer in different francophone cultures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TOO-too-YAY!'. Imagine two friends saying 'too' (tu) to each other and cheering 'Yay!' for their closeness.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL DISTANCE IS LINGUISTIC DISTANCE (using 'tu' reduces metaphorical distance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian "тыкать", which is more colloquial and often pejorative. "Tutoyer" is a standard, neutral linguistic term in English.
- The concept is similar (ты vs. вы), but the English word is a French loanword used in specific contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for any informal address (it specifically relates to the 'tu' form).
- Misspelling: tutoier, tutoyé.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'tutoyer'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. Its meaning is intrinsically tied to the French linguistic system. It might be extended metaphorically, but this is uncommon.
Yes, 'vouvoyer', meaning to address using the formal 'vous' pronoun. It is also used in English in similar contexts.
In English, it is treated as a regular verb: tutoyer, tutoyers, tutoyering, tutoyered. The infinitive form is often used.
No. It is a low-frequency, advanced word relevant primarily to those with an interest in French language, culture, or linguistic studies.