Every language has its own way of showing respect, closeness and distance. These guides explain how it works in each language, when to use which form, and the mistakes learners make most often.
- Korean해요체 vs 합니다체: When to Use Each Korean Speech LevelThe two polite speech levels you use every day, when each one fits, and how the verb endings change.
- JapaneseWhen to Use Keigo: 丁寧語, 尊敬語 and 謙譲語 ExplainedThe three types of keigo, a simple test for sonkeigo vs kenjōgo, and when Japanese speakers expect each one.
- Chinese你 vs 您: Polite and Formal "You" in ChineseWhen to use 您, how it varies from Beijing to Taiwan and Hong Kong, and the polite phrases that matter more than the pronoun.
- SpanishTú vs Usted: When to Use Formal Spanish (Plus Vos and Vosotros)Tú, usted, vos, vosotros and ustedes: when each one fits, and how Spain and Latin America differ.
- FrenchTu vs Vous: When to Use the Formal "You" in FrenchWhen to tutoyer and when to vouvoyer, who proposes the switch, and how Québec differs from France.
- GermanDu vs Sie: When to Use the Formal "You" in GermanDuzen or siezen: when to use each, how the switch to du happens, and how to write formal emails.
- PortugueseVocê, Tu or O Senhor? Formal and Informal "You" in Brazilian PortugueseVocê, tu, o senhor and a senhora in Brazil, plus how Portugal does it differently.
- VietnameseAnh, Chị, Em: How to Address People Politely in VietnameseHow family words become "you" and "I", how to choose them by age, and what ạ, dạ and thưa add.
- Thaiครับ and ค่ะ: Thai Polite Particles and Pronouns Explainedครับ, ค่ะ and คะ, the pronouns for "I" and "you", and how to sound polite without sounding stiff.
- IndonesianAnda vs Kamu: How to Say "You" Politely in IndonesianWhy Bapak and Ibu beat Anda in conversation, saya vs aku, and how casual Indonesian differs from formal.