Formal and Informal Russian: When to Use Вы and Ты
Russian has two ways to say "you": ты (informal) and вы (formal or plural). This is a CEFR A1–A2 skill that affects every conversation you have in Russian. If you speak French (tu/vous) or German (du/Sie), the concept will feel familiar — but Russian has its own cultural rules. Choosing the right form matters for respect, relationship, and context. This guide explains when to use each and how to avoid awkward mistakes.
- The difference between ты (informal) and вы (formal/plural)
- When to use each form with clear examples
- How Russians switch from вы to ты
- Common mistakes to avoid in conversation
The Basics: Ты vs Вы
Use ты with friends, family, and children. Use вы with strangers, elders, bosses, and anyone you want to show respect to. When in doubt, start with вы — the other person will suggest switching to ты when the relationship is close enough.
Ты (ty) — Informal "you"
- Use with: friends, family, children, peers you're on familiar terms with.
- Conveys: closeness, equality, informality.
- Verb forms: ты говоришь (you speak), ты знаешь (you know).
Вы (vy) — Formal "you" or plural "you"
- Use with: strangers, elders, bosses, teachers, officials, anyone you show respect to.
- Also used for: addressing more than one person (plural "you").
- Conveys: respect, distance, politeness.
- Verb forms: вы говорите (you speak), вы знаете (you know).
- Capitalized as Вы when meaning one person (formal), to distinguish from plural вы.
When to Use Вы (Formal)
- First meeting with an adult you don't know
- Work: colleagues (until you agree to "ты"), managers, clients
- Service: shop staff, doctors, officials
- Education: teachers, professors
- Anyone significantly older unless they offer "ты"
- Formal letters, emails, and official documents
Want to develop a natural feel for when to use ты and вы? Book a free trial lesson and practise real conversations with a native teacher.
When to Use Ты (Informal)
- Family and close friends
- Children (adults typically use "ты" with kids)
- Peers who have agreed to use "ты" (перейти на ты)
- Casual or friendly contexts where the other person uses "ты" first
Switching to Ты: Перейти на ты
Russians sometimes "switch to ты" (перейти на ты) when a relationship becomes closer. It's often offered by the older or higher-status person:
- Давай на ты. — Let's use "ты."
- Можно на ты? — Can we use "ты"?
Once someone offers, you can use "ты" with them. Don't switch first with someone older or in a position of authority unless they suggest it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using "ты" with a stranger or superior — Can sound rude or presumptuous.
- Using "вы" with a close friend — Can sound cold or ironic.
- Forgetting to match verb forms — Use вы + plural verb (вы говорите), ты + singular (ты говоришь).
- Overusing "Вы" in casual online chat — Among young peers, "ты" is often normal; context matters.
Formality also affects greetings — see our guides on how to say hello in Russian and how to say goodbye in Russian. The form you choose (ты or вы) changes the verb endings throughout the conversation, which connects directly to Russian grammatical cases.
Knowing when to use ты vs вы takes real cultural practice. Our native-speaking teachers help you develop a natural feel for register through conversation. Explore our Russian lessons or meet our teachers.
Quick Reference
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Stranger, boss, teacher | Вы |
| Friend, family, child | Ты |
| New colleague | Вы (until agreed otherwise) |
| Formal email | Вы |
| One person (formal) in writing | Вы (capitalized) |
| Several people | вы (lowercase, plural) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I switch from вы to ты?
Wait for the other person to suggest it — especially if they are older or in a position of authority. The phrase "Давай на ты" ("Let's use ты") is the standard invitation. In casual settings among peers of similar age, ты often happens quickly or even immediately.
Is it offensive to use ты with strangers?
It can be. Using ты with someone you don't know — especially an older person or someone in a professional setting — can come across as disrespectful or overly familiar. When in doubt, always default to вы. It's much better to be slightly too formal than accidentally rude.
Do young Russians still use вы?
Yes, but context matters. Young Russians typically use вы with professors, doctors, older colleagues, and in formal situations. Among peers in casual settings (social media, parties, shared hobbies), ты is often the default. The trend is toward informality in digital communication, but вы remains important in professional and respectful contexts.
How is Russian formality different from French or German?
The Russian ты/вы system is comparable to French tu/vous and German du/Sie, but the cultural rules differ. Russians may stay on вы longer in professional settings than the French or Germans would. The switch to ты also carries more social significance in Russian — it often marks a real shift in the relationship.
Practice with Native Speakers
Getting a feel for вы and ты takes real conversation. At VividRussian School we practice formal and informal register in context so you learn when to use each naturally. Book a free trial lesson and practice with a native teacher.