‘Tu Vs Aap’ Debate Triggers MemeFest! Mumbaikars Take Offence To A Twitter User Complaining About Using ‘Tu’-SEE TWEETS!

Is it rude to address someone using ‘Tu’? Well, the question has plagued Twitter and netizens are currently busy debating after one user posted about her experience in Mumbai. “Never engage with Bombay people in Hindi. You could be complete strangers and they’ll still feel free to address you with a ‘Tu’,” wrote Twitter user @PratPanc and dubbed it as an ‘unacceptable behaviour’.

Never engage with Bombay people in Hindi.

You could be complete strangers and they’ll still feel free to address you with a ‘Tu’.

Unacceptable behaviour.
— PratPanc (@PratPanc) February 5, 2023

The same Marathi speaking crowd will use ‘tu’ for their mothers & grandmothers but they dare not use ‘tu’ for their fathers, grandfathers or any other male figure w authority.

Patriarchy FTW! 💪🏻

They understand the concept of respect but their respect is reserved for men LOL
— PratPanc (@PratPanc) February 7, 2023

Indian culture can easily differ from different regions. However, Mumbai, a city nestled between Maharashtra, is the nation’s commercial hub and has been ultimately blessed with people from all the languages across India. Interestingly, Mumbai doesn’t have a local language of its own and the accents are a mix of primarily 4 languages throughout Mumbai's Suburban District - Marathi, Hindi, English, Gujarati.

Just for the sake of context: “Tu” and “aap” mean “you” in Hindi. However, ‘Aap’ is more of a formal and respectful word used to address someone elder. While ‘Tu’ is considered more informal and less polite in Hindi, the same word is also used to address someone dearly in Maharashtra. This is likely to be the reason why some people from the northern parts of the country sometimes object to its usage, especially when addressing strangers or elders.

You have pissed off a LOT of people. 😂
— Paul (@mrithejester) February 7, 2023

As a user pointed out, “You have pissed off a LOT of people” the tweet has ultimately sparked a debate on the correct usage of ‘aap’ vs ‘tu’ and the debate just seems to get stronger.

Many Mumbaikars took offence at the tweet and suggested that @PratPanc failed to recognise the nuances of language and culture by dismissing tu as a rude way to address someone.

Kaushal Inamdar, a music composer, joined the debate, noting that tu in Marathi is used with love. He wrote: “We even call our Gods tu.”

We suggest you sit back and enjoy the tweets below:

BTW I read the rest of your tweets, how do you feel being roasted in every single one of them?

Maybe, you can continue tweeting and we marathi people can enjoy reading the savage responses!
— Nephlim (@Nephlim7) February 9, 2023

Delete...being a delhite I too had my struggles with my mumbai friends referring me as tu in beginning but I get that and started respecting the language diversity.
Every city has its own culture n language...nothing wrong
— AWB (@sleepyhead1892) February 7, 2023

😂😂😂 I start doubting people's intentions when they address me with 'aap'.
— Seggsually Coloured 🏳️‍🌈 (@Subhashitani1) February 5, 2023

We do not take opinions from people who can't leave their home after 7pm. KEEP YOUR VALUES AND BEHAVIOUR TO YOURSELF! We are proud to use 'TU'! *facepalm*
— Nephlim (@Nephlim7) February 9, 2023

Tu la in Marathi is you. Aapla would make it 'hum' 'us' or 'our'. The polite version 'tumhala'. Most (local) mumbaikars have incorporated some version of this. So it's not really tu. Hope this helps.
— Gayatri (@G_y_tri) February 7, 2023

Your statement is a result of a misunderstanding. The reason they use "tu" is not to show overfamiliarity or imply any rudeness but because that's the normal Marathi usage, which forms the basis for the local Hindi. It's equivalent to "tum". "Aap" is used only in UP & Bihar.
— Shantanu (@shantanub) February 7, 2023

It's a cultural linguistic difference. Lived in the North for over 10 yrs. The amount of disrespect / lack of safety you find amidst the so called not-"Marathi people" reserved for women kind up there irrespective of the aaps and hums is incomparable with a tu tera freedom lele
— 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢 Ohol (@OholArt) February 7, 2023

'tu' is also used in a dearly way in maharashtra, if you can't embrace the diversity of a language instead of imposing hindi rules,, try and stop completely engaging w bombay people. Stop w these entitlement lmao 😭

Big L
— poha & chhas lover (@pohaslut) February 7, 2023

Oh God why do Delhi people ever leave Delhi. If you can't speak Marathi properly don't speak to Mumbaikars. Tu and tereko are the local lingo. Stay home princess. Mumbai does not need you.
— Priya Samagod (@priyasamagod) February 7, 2023

Just imagine instead of Marathis, you were fighting with North Indians. Your TL would've been flooded with below the belt, misogynist comments. Instead, Marathi people are trying to understand where you are coming from and explaining the situation! That's Maharashtra for you.
— Artificial Stupidity (@KrutrimMurkhata) February 8, 2023

The tweet was shared on February 5, and the tweet has accumulated more than 1 M views and garnered over 572 likes and 63 retweets. It has also received a plethora of comments.

Image Source: SpotboyE

‘Tu Vs Aap’ Debate Triggers MemeFest! Mumbaikars Take Offence To A Twitter User Complaining About Using ‘Tu’-SEE TWEETS!

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