In Russian, can "мы" be used to refer to "you" in conversation?

Question

А чего это мы такие ворчливые?

I just received an IM from my girlfriend, in which she used the pronoun "мы" (jokingly, I suppose) although it was I alone who was grumbling about something in a previous message.

I wonder if this is an equivalent of "Aren't we grumpy today?" in English and "On est ronchon, hein ?" in French? English and French use the pronouns "we/on" to indirectly refer to "you/tu" respectively.

just wanted to span you a bit, since noting you got into Italian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbVdfcQn4gY - this video channel might be of some recreational value and at the same time match parts of both Russian and Italian cultures, which your profile says are yet two least mastered languages of yours — Arioch, Mar 29 '19 at 14:27

score 18 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 25 '18 at 12:20

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In this particular case it means "Why are you grumpy today"? So, "we" means "you" in this sentence.

This form is often used when talking to children and emphasizes jocular tone.

answered Jun 25 '18 at 12:20

pensnarik

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This form is often used when talking to children this is true for English as well. – Glorfindel Jun 25 '18 at 16:46

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 25 '18 at 14:56

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Yes, in sentences like this “мы” can in fact be a 2nd person pronoun.

Also observe that this can apply to imperative mood as well. “Проходим, не задерживаемся!”

answered Jun 25 '18 at 14:56

Roman Odaisky

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score 3 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 18 '20 at 08:26

The usage of мы instead of ты/вы in colloquial speech is wide enough. The explorers call it 'sympathetically intimate', 'solidary', 'doctorate / parental' or 'inclusive'. Such a usage of мы is considered neutral when it emphasizes a definitely higher situational status of the speaker, e. g. in a pair like doctor-to-patient (Как мы себя чувствуем?), parent-to-child (Что это мы тут плачем?), policeman-to-suspect (Будем сознаваться или будем играть в молчанку!?), etc. A comical effect only appears if it's spoken by someone 'out of proper status'.

(В. З. Санников, Русский язык в зеркале языковой игры)

https://books.google.ru/books/content?id=cRyLAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA79&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&ots=da9xaO3W0Q&sig=ACfU3U3d6nZJB4gbAygeQnAmbbQuOkLgaw&w=1280

https://books.google.ru/books/content?id=cRyLAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA80&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&ots=da9xaO3W0Q&sig=ACfU3U3P472gku_DWe20h6Yugnm_BFiFzQ&w=1280

it also sounds condescending and patronizing – Баян Купи-ка Jun 27 '18 at 18:02 — Баян Купи-ка, Jun 27 '18 at 18:02

score 1 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 27 '18 at 17:26

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I wonder if this is an equivalent of "Aren't we grumpy today?" in English.

I think this is exact equivalent.

edited Jun 27 '18 at 17:26

Caleb

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answered Jun 26 '18 at 06:33

Ark-kun

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This is really more of a comment than an answer as it doesn't explain anything about the answer. Adding why it is the way it is, when to use or not use this form, etc. would make this a proper answer. – Caleb Jun 27 '18 at 09:00

In Russian, can "мы" be used to refer to "you" in conversation?

4 Answers4