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Which Russian word is the polite 'you' for a single stranger?

Вы (vy) is the polite 'you' for strangers and groups.

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  1. Ты (ty)
  2. Вы (vy) ✔
  3. Мы (my)

Why: Russians use вы for strangers, older people and groups. Ты (ty) is for close friends, family and children. Мы means 'we'.

Huh, didn't know that: Wiktionary labels ты as familiar and вы as plural or formal singular.

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References

Answer: Вы (vy). Russians use вы for strangers, older people and groups. Ты (ty) is for close friends, family and children. Мы means 'we'.

  1. Wiktionary: вы en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D0%B2%D1%8B
    you (plural or formal singular)
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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