In German we have a formal version of "you" (du), which is "Sie". This is used for instance at the workplace or when you address older people you don't know.
Können Sie mir sagen, wo der Bahnhof ist?
(Can you tell me where the station is?)
The informal way to ask for the station would be:
Kannst du mir sagen, wo der Bahnhof ist?
When you address a group of people in an informal way you would use "ihr".
Könnt ihr mir sagen, wo der Bahnhof ist?
(Can you tell me where the station is?)
To address two or more people in a formal way use "Sie" (same when you address only 1 person):
| |
Informal |
Formal |
| Singluar |
du |
Sie |
| Plural |
ihr |
Sie |
Keep in mind that you need to capitalise "Sie". If you don't capitalise it, it means something else.
The pronunciation is the same for "sie" or "Sie".
sie = 1. she 2. they 3. them 4. it (regarding things) 5. her
Sie = you (formal)
du = you (informal)
