36. The 3 Words for 'You' in German - Quiz Answers

36.  The 3 Words for 'You' in German - Quiz Answers

1    German has  three  words for 'you'.

2    It is not  unusual  to find a language has more than one word for 'you'.

3    The word 'du' in German is considered to be an  informal  usage.

4    'Sie', on the other hand, is considered to be a  formal usage.

5    'Du is used only in the  singular  form.

6    It is used when someone addresses relatives, friends, children, & students.

7    Sometimes work colleagues will also address each other as 'du'.

8    'Sie' is also seen as being a polite form .

9    This is seen as being appropriate when you meet an adult stranger  for the first time.

10   It is important to know that 'Sie' can be used both in the singular & plural  forms.

11   'Ihr' is simply the  plural  of 'du'.

12   When you address a group of friends & relatives,  'ihr' is the right form to use.

13   From about age  sixteen, young Germans are addressed in public with 'Sie'.

14   Older  relatives  will still be addressed, however, with 'du'  and 'ihr'.

15   Students at school, university or colleges address each other with du.

16   Usually with adults, it is the  young lady who typically initiates the use of 'du'.

17   The German word to 'use du' is duzen.

18   The German word to 'use Sie' is  siezen.

19   By law, teachers in German schools are required to address senior students with 'Sie'.

20   In practice, often teachers still use du as the preferred mode of address.

21   If in doubt, you should always use  Sie  when addressing relative strangers.

22   If locals don't know you are a foreigner, they may think you rude if you use 'du'.