"Вы" или "ты"? Addressing people

Click to zoom!

As you may already know, there are two types of addressing people in Russian; so, instead of 'you' we would use either less formal "ты" or more formal "вы" ("Вы"). That's not just a theoretical question, because you will need different forms of a verb (and different imperatives, which are used quite widely in Russian), different personal pronouns etc., depending on which form of addressing you use. We may also greet each other, apologize etc. differently depending on the form of addressing we use (though there are some greetings like "Доброе утро!" - 'Good morning!', "Добрый день!" - 'Good afternoon!', "Добрый вечер!" - 'Good evening!', forms of apologizing like "Прощу прощения", goodbye saying like "Всего доброго!" - which you may use for everyone):

Basically, it depends on many factors which form will be used. Kids and teenagers (and sometimes young adults) normally address each other using "ты", also adults normally address children using "ты". A kid or a teenager may address an adult using "ты" if the person he talks with is her close relative, but she would normally use "вы" speaking to her teacher (even if the teacher is not much older than the teenager). Close friends and relatives address each other using "ты", while strangers use "вы". But colleagues, acquantances, neighbours may use either. Here there are several things to note:

1) The choice of the addressing form is normally mutual. If a person starts talking to you using "ты" or "вы", you're normally supposed to use the same form (with the exception of  talking to a child - I would say "ты" in this case).

2) I would definetely recommend using "вы" in business sphere, when you talking to your Russian clients, boss and perhaps colleagues (but it depends, basically, you can just follow the pattern which already exists in the company). In business writing (and sometimes in personal letters) we often capitalize it: "Вы".

3) There are several phrases that may help you switch from "вы" to "ты" (switching back to "вы" is an exceptional thing :)): "Можно на ты?" or "Давайте (let's) на ты!". Normally, the person will answer: "Да", "Да, конечно (of course)", "Конечно, давайте". We Russians are usually quite quick with such a change, so don't be surprised if your conversational partner asks for switching to "ты" after a half an hour chat.

A quick note on Russian names. In formal situations (including school, university addressing teachers) we use "вы" + full names and patronymics (derivatives from one's father's name, which is stated in one's passport). Sometimes we can address acquantainces and colleagues using "вы" + full names without patronymics. In informal situations, when we choose the "ты"-option we usually use diminutives of our names. Sometimes diminutive names are spelled and pronounced quite differently from their full counterparts. Curious what the full name of your Russian friend is, or what the diminutive of the Russian equivalent of your name could be? Check here, but be careful: Анюта, Анечка, Настюша, Ириша, as well as Саня, Сашок, Санёк, Костик, Настюха, Илюха (and perhaps some other) can be used only if you address a very close friend.

Another question is what words to use addressing strangers or drawing their attention (Madam? Sir?). Unfortunately, in Russia there are no generally accepted words for this nowadays. (Are you curious, why? Check it here - in English, or here - in Russian, it's right in the beginning of the second chapter). Sometimes people address each other using just the words "женщина" (woman), "мужчина" (man), but I wouldn't recommend doing so, it can sound a bit rude. If I need to draw someone's attention, I normally say "Извините" (excuse me) or "Извините, пожалуйста" - these two are perhaps the most neutral ones.

До свидания! :)