Tu and Toi?

Question

= You

But can someone find a way to explain to me when to use it?

Tu, toi...

Answer 1

Tu is the grammatical subject: tu es américain (you are American)

Toi is the grammatical indirect object: je pense à toi (I think of you)

Te/t' is the grammatical direct object: je t'aime (I love you)

It is the same difference as you have in English between I and me, he and him, she and her, we and us, they and them, etc. Except that it applies to you and in English you has only one form as a subject or as an object.

Answer 2

Okay, before I rip my hair out, let me just say:

1.  Toi is NOT formal in any way, shape, or form.  It is technically called an independent pronoun.  VOUS is formal.  Yikes.

2.  You can NOT say 'et tu' in French.  That is LATIN.  You can say 'et toi' because you need an INDEPENDENT pronoun when there is no verb in the clause.

Anyways, now let's see if I can help you =]  Tu and toi are both translated as you in English, so this concept if a bit difficult at first for native English speakers.  Tu is a subject pronoun, meaning it receives the action of a verb.  You run = Tu cours.

Toi is an independent pronoun and is used when the clause it is in has NO verb.  I go there with you = J'y vais avec TOI.  The 'avec' starts a new clause and needs the toi to refer to the 'you.'

To remember this without going crazy, try this tip.  Tu is used when there's a verb with it.  Toi won't have a verb.

To clarify:

Je vais bien.  Comment vas-tu ?  (Tu goes with a verb)

Je vais bien.  Et toi ?  (Toi without a verb in its clause)

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 3

Tu is subject : "tu chantes, il fait beau, c'est dimanche"

Toi is always in attributive indirect position - or special situations - let's see :

               C'est A toi que je pense quand j'entends le vent hurler

                J'ai entendu parler DE toi hier soir à la TV    

                 C'est AVEC toi que je veux construire ma vie

                 C'est POUR toi -  

                 Je pars SANS toi etc etc

       Now "toi" as a direct subject : Toi et moi, c'est pour la vie

Answer 4

Toi is formal and what you should always use when referring to strangers, or someone considably older than you. In fact, use it unless you are on a personal friendly level with the person you are talking with. Actually knowing the exact moment when you can stop using toi is tricky but it's best to come across as excessively polite, than demeaning to someone.

And from what I heard, you are expected to stop using toi and use tu instead when a bartender comps you a drink.

Tu is informal and only to be used to people you are closed to, and small children. Use on anyone else, and it will be seen as extremely rude.

Answer 5

you use tu with verbs

for example :

est-ce que tu AS (tu form of avoir) une amoire

for toi, you use it when there arent any formed verbs

for example:

j'aime marcher (not formed, its the infinitiv because of the -er) avec toi

hope this helps : ) xx

Answer 6

In my experience in France - when you get to know someone as a friend you usually ask " je peux tu-toiyez? " which means can I be less formal when addressing you.  It's a polite way to make sure they is no disrespect intended as it tu and toi are very, very informal.

Answer 7

Oui, bien merci, et tu?

Et moi ausse, et toi?

Answer 8

TU is used when you use "you" as a subject  :

you are beautiful

tu es jolie    (speaking to a woman)

tu es beau  (speaking to a man)

TOI is used when preceded by a preposition :

I will go in after you

je vais entrer après toi

TOI is also used to repeat the TU in a stressed way :

you really want to go in, you ?

tu veux vraiment entrer, toi ?

TOI is therefore a stressed form and after a preposition

it is necessary to use a stressed form

however, there is also a non-stressed form for the object

when not using a preposition :

I give the book to you

Je donne le livre à toi

(stress is on the YOU - preposition is used)

Non stressed this becomes :

Je te donne le livre

(stress is on the book, TOI becomes TE here for the

indirect object - and it stands before the verb)