Lei vs Tu , Lei vs voi, Tu vs Voi, Lei vs Loro

[Roby]

Lei vs Tu

Talking or writing to people you do not know well --- use the LEI form (FORMAL)
Talking or writing to people you know well(such as friends, family, etc.)---use the TU form (INFORMAL)

In a work environment, depends on the companies policy, use the formal.
In restaurants, shops,hotels, etc. use the formal.

Regarding strangers, use the formal unless you are speaking with a child or you both are teenagers use the informal.

After meeting someone for the first time; first meeting being addressed in the formal; the second meeting you could ask him or her : Ci diamo del tu, d'accordo? Often the person may ask you to refer to them in the tu form.

Lei vs voi

Lei form is used for addressing a single person.
Voi form is used when addressing more than one person or a group.
(informal or formal)

In old textbooks you will often see the Voi form used, however, it is a bit obsolete. Using the Lei form has become more common. However, in Southern Italy the Voi form is still used although the Lei form is accepted.

In Literature you will see the use of the Voi form as it was the formal why to address people in that day and age.

Voi is the plural polite form. You will still hear it used even though it is old-fashioned. You will often hear older people use it. It is a form of respect.

Tu vs. Voi

Tu is used only in the informal; speaking to a single person; singular.

Voi can be used informal or formal;speaking to more than one person or a group;plural. See below Loro vs Lei.


Loro vs Lei

Lei is the singular polite form; addressing one person.

Loro is the plural polite form of Lei , but in this day and age it is obsolete and the Voi form is used today. Loro is old-fashioned, however, it is correct to use it. However, you will hear the Voi form more.

Roby

[Roby]

Discussion about Lei vs Voi with individuals.

http://impariamo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3971
_________________
Roby
"Per raro che sia vero amore e' meno raro della vera amicizia."

"As rare as true love is, it is not as rare as true friendship."
--Unknown

[abhijit]

grazie mille