Two words for "you":
ты
(tih)
informal
Used with friends, peers, and children
вы
(vih)
formal/plural
Used with strangers, older people, and groups
💡 Quick Rule: New people/teachers/staff → вы (vih) | Friends/younger → ты (tih)
Note: In writing, polite Вы is often capitalized in emails.
Note: In writing, polite Вы is often capitalized in emails.
Parallel Examples (ты vs вы)
1
Subject ("you...?")
Ты говори́шь по-ру́сски? (tih gah-vah-REESH pah-ROOS-kee?)
Do you speak Russian? informal
Вы говори́те по-ру́сски? (vih gah-vah-REE-teh pah-ROOS-kee?)
Do you speak Russian? polite/plural
2
Object ("I see/know you")
Я ви́жу тебя́. (yah VEE-zhoo tee-BYAH.)
I see you. informal
Я ви́жу вас. (yah VEE-zhoo vahs.)
I see you. polite/plural
3
To you (indirect object)
Я позвоню́ тебе́ за́втра. (yah pahz-vah-NYOO tee-BYEH ZAHV-trah.)
I'll call you tomorrow. informal
Я позвоню́ вам за́втра. (yah pahz-vah-NYOO vahm ZAHV-trah.)
I'll call you tomorrow. polite/plural
4
"Your" (possessives)
Э́то твоя́ кни́га. (EH-tah tva-YAH KNEE-gah.)
This is your book. informal
Э́то ва́ша кни́га. (EH-tah VAH-shah KNEE-gah.)
This is your book. polite/plural
5
About you (prepositional)
Я ду́маю о тебе́. (yah DOO-mah-yoo ah tee-BYEH.)
I'm thinking about you. informal
Я ду́маю о вас. (yah DOO-mah-yoo ah vahs.)
I'm thinking about you. polite/plural
6
Without you (genitive)
Без тебя́ ску́чно. (bez tee-BYAH SKOO-chna.)
It's boring without you. informal
Без вас ску́чно. (bez vahs SKOO-chna.)
It's boring without you. polite/plural
7
With you (instrumental)
Я с тобо́й. (yah s tah-BOY.)
I'm with you. informal
Я с ва́ми. (yah s VAH-mee.)
I'm with you. polite/plural
8
Checking relationship style
Мо́жно на ты? (MOHZH-nah nah tih?)
Can we use ты?
Дава́йте на ты? (dah-VI-teh nah tih?)
Shall we switch to ты? (polite way to ask)