German has two words for 'you': du for friends, family and children, and Sie for strangers and anyone you would call by title. The verb ending changes with each one: du takes -st (du kommst), while Sie takes -en (Sie kommen). Sie meaning 'you' is always written with a capital S.
Examples
- Wie heißt du?
- What's your name? (informal)
- Wie heißen Sie?
- What's your name? (formal)
- Woher kommst du?
- Where are you from? (informal)
- Woher kommen Sie, Frau Bauer?
- Where are you from, Mrs. Bauer?
The mistake to avoid
Learners mix the two inside one conversation - once you start with Sie, keep using Sie until the other person offers du.
Where this fits in
Greetings & introductions, German A1: Say hello, give your name, ask someone else's, and where they're from.