Formed from French tu and toi with the verb ending -oyer and an inserted t. It is attested from the late 14th century.
Address with tu
verb
social
neutral
To address someone with the familiar singular pronoun tu rather than the polite or plural vous, often marking closeness, equality, or informality.
Examples
- Au bureau, tout le monde se tutoie.At the office, everyone uses tu with one another.
- Tu peux me tutoyer si tu veux.You can use tu with me if you like.
- Elle tutoie ses collègues, mais elle vouvoie les clients.She uses tu with her colleagues but vous with clients.
- Nous nous tutoyons depuis l'université.We have used tu with each other since university.
- Il vaut mieux demander avant de tutoyer quelqu'un dans un cadre formel.It is better to ask before using tu with someone in a formal setting.
Similar words
dire tu
parler en se disant tu
être en tutoiement
Come very close
verb
everyday
literary
To come extremely close to a state, limit, danger, or high level without necessarily reaching it fully, often for vivid or elevated effect.
Examples
- Cette décision tutoie l'absurde.This decision borders on the absurd.
- L'alpiniste a tutoyé les sommets les plus dangereux.The mountaineer came close to the most dangerous summits.
- Pendant quelques secondes, il a tutoyé la mort.For a few seconds, he brushed with death.
- Son dernier roman tutoie la perfection sans jamais perdre sa simplicité.His latest novel comes close to perfection without ever losing its simplicity.
- Avec ce nouveau record, l'équipe tutoie l'excellence mondiale.With this new record, the team nearly reaches world-class excellence.
Similar words
frôler
approcher
côtoyer
atteindre presque