What is the difference between thou and thee?

Answer 1

Thou is an objective form of Thee.

That is, thou was used as the subject of a sentence while thee was used as the object of a verb. Observe the sentences below:

Thou art a friend indeed. (You are truly a friend.)

If I have offended thee, speak truthfully to me. (If I have offended you, tell me honestly.)

Answer 2

Most European languages have a formal and an informal 'you' form. You use the formal 'you' to people who are older, or who you don't know too well, and you use the informal with children, friends, relatives, pets and God. English used to have a formal 'you' and an informal 'thou'. But the informal gradually disappeared. People started saying 'you' to their dogs and children.

The difference between 'thou' and 'thee' is analogous to the difference between 'he' and 'him'. Wherever you would say 'he', you say 'thou', and wherever you would say 'him', you say 'thee'. 'His' corresponds to 'thy' and 'thine' . The difference between 'thy' and 'thine' is the same as the difference between 'my' and 'mine'.

He is handsome. > Thou art handsome.

I love him. > I love thee.

This is my book. > This is thy book.

This book is mine. > This book is thine.

Also, verbs conjugate differently with 'thou':

I am

Thou art

He is

We/you/they are

Other 'thou' inflections:

thou wast (not thou was or were)

thou hast (not thou has)

thou canst, hopest, makest, etc.

• Actually, "you" was the object of formal singular or just plural "ye". It later became a subjective pronoun in the formal sense that coexisted with "ye" before totally replacing it. "Ye" also was used as an objective pronoun such as in "God rest ye merry gentlemen".

Answer 3

"Thou" is the subject form of the second person singular pronoun, while "thee" is the object form. In modern English, "you" is commonly used as both the subjective and objective form for the second person singular and plural.