>I suspect that the french language is a close relative to the russian language in that situation, because we also have two forms of 'you': "tu" for personal/familiar relationship and "vous" for polite relationship.
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>>In the Russian language we have two forms of 'you' referring to a single person: "ty", which is used between kids or when an adult is talking with a yound child or between close friends and relatives, and "Vy", which is official and polite form to address a person.


If memory serves, it gets even more complicated. Take your choice as to which is better......

In English there is no longer any distinction (other than context) between formal/informal and singular/plural "you." (IIRC "thee" and "thou" were once used to differentiate, although I don't know the rules for using them correctly)

In French "tu" serves as the informal singular. "Vous" is used in all other cases.

In German, "du" is informal singular. "Sie" is formal singular and plural. "Ihr" is informal plural, although I think it is perhaps more apt to use the term diminutive rather than informal since my teachers told me it is used primarily when addressing a group of young children.

Spanish has all four forms (pardon the spelling) and the true spanish speakers can correct me if I'm wrong.

Singular/Informal tu
Singular/Formal usted
Plural/Informal vosotros (I think. My class hasn't been teaching this form since it is used only in Spain and not in Latin America)
Plural/Formal ustedes


I like the English form best. No worries about singular/plural, subject/object, direct/indirect object, formal/informal. Simply say "you" and you're covered.