Monday, October 10, 2011

Did you 'du' him?

[Context for non-German speakers: 'du' = informal 'you' & 'Sie' = formal 'you']

B said she Sie'd him, C said she used to Sie but has worked her way up to du'ing her in-laws, and I started off du'ing G's parents after checking with G first.

It's also pretty complicated in Japanese (honorific forms and all that, as in other Asian languages), but it's not so easy determining the appropriate uses of "you" in German either. I guess that's part of what makes things interesting, but I just love the flexibility of the English "you."
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2 comments:

  1. heDecember 28, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    This is B's dad. I think, I "duzt" her.? I usually "du" all people from English speaking countries, except sometimes people from England.
    We can try to synchronize, when we meet next time. Happy New Year.

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  2. mottekurunodaDecember 29, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Hi, and thanks for your comment!
    I think that's a pretty good rule to go by. I have the most trouble when I suddenly have to speak in German with people I usually speak Japanese with (ie. I speak in Japanese to my parents' friends, but when we all speak in German when we're in German-speaking company).
    My default is Sie, just to be on the safe side, though it can sometimes be a bit awkward!
    Have a happy new year! :)

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