The choice between 'votre' and 'ton' in French is determined by the level of formality in your relationship with the person or people you are addressing, as well as the number of individuals involved.
Understanding Formal vs. Informal "Your"
Both 'ton' and 'votre' translate to "your" in English, but they are used in different social contexts, reflecting the distinction between the informal singular 'tu' and the formal singular/any plural 'vous' forms of "you."
Using 'Ton' (Informal Singular)
'Ton' is part of the informal set of possessive adjectives used when addressing a single person with whom you have a casual, familiar relationship. This typically includes:
- Family members (e.g., siblings, children)
- Close friends
- People younger than you
- Pets
The form of the possessive adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun being possessed:
- Ton: Used before a singular masculine noun.
- Example: Ton livre (Your book)
- Example: Ton chat (Your cat)
- Ta: Used before a singular feminine noun.
- Example: Ta voiture (Your car)
- Example: Ta maison (Your house)
- Tes: Used before any plural noun (masculine or feminine).
- Example: Tes amis (Your friends)
- Example: Tes chaussures (Your shoes)
Using 'Votre' (Formal Singular or Any Plural)
'Votre' is part of the formal set of possessive adjectives. It is used in two main scenarios:
- When addressing a single person formally: This applies when you need to show respect, maintain a professional distance, or when speaking to someone you don't know well.
- Example: A stranger, an elder, a superior, a customer.
- When addressing multiple people, regardless of formality: If you are speaking to two or more people, you always use the 'vous' form, and consequently, 'votre' or 'vos' for possession.
Similar to 'ton,' the form of the possessive adjective changes based on the number of the noun being possessed:
- Votre: Used before any singular noun (masculine or feminine).
- Example (Formal singular): Votre opinion (Your opinion)
- Example (Plural addressees): Bonjour à tous, est-ce que votre projet avance bien ? (Hello everyone, is your project progressing well?)
- Vos: Used before any plural noun (masculine or feminine).
- Example (Formal singular): Vos coordonnées (Your contact details)
- Example (Plural addressees): Quels sont vos plans pour ce week-end ? (What are your plans for this weekend?)
A Quick Guide to Choosing
The decision between 'ton/ta/tes' and 'votre/vos' hinges on whether you would use 'tu' or 'vous' when directly addressing the person or group. You can learn more about this crucial distinction between "tu" and "vous" on resources like Lawless French.
| Addressee | Formality | Possessive Adjectives Used | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Person | Informal | ton, ta, tes | Ton frère, ta sœur, tes parents |
| One Person | Formal | votre, vos | Votre opinion, vos papiers |
| Multiple People | Any | votre, vos | Votre entreprise, vos maisons |
Practical Scenarios
- To a child: "Où est ton jouet ?" (Where is your toy?) – Informal, singular addressee.
- To a friend: "J'aime bien ta nouvelle coupe de cheveux." (I really like your new haircut.) – Informal, singular addressee.
- To a stranger asking for directions: "Quel est votre arrêt ?" (What is your stop?) – Formal, singular addressee.
- To a group of colleagues: "Quels sont vos objectifs pour le trimestre ?" (What are your goals for the quarter?) – Multiple addressees.
- Speaking to a single customer: "Puis-je avoir votre nom s'il vous plaît ?" (May I have your name please?) – Formal, singular addressee.
Key Takeaway
The core principle for using 'ton' versus 'votre' (and their variations) directly corresponds to whether you would use the informal 'tu' or the formal/plural 'vous' form of address. If you're using 'tu', you'll use 'ton/ta/tes'. If you're using 'vous', you'll use 'votre/vos'.
