Jij bent - you are (informal) U bent - you are (formal) When to use jij or u depends on the person you are speaking with and the country as well. In Belgium people tend to use the formal u much more often. Even parents to their adult children. In Holland people are more informal en use jij far more often. Even in stores people often use jij. You use u with - job interviews - talking to people with high position - elderly persons Nowadays I often hear elderly persons saying that you can talk with them using u in stead of jij.

u is more polite most of the time used for people older than you