How do you say thank you in French?
Merci!
That’s the one word you need to know. But, wait!
Inside this guide, you get 20 phrases for saying thank you and you’re welcome in French. Why so many? Because if you’re reading this, you’re a smart learner. So, you want to learn more and be fluent.
By the way..
Since you’re learning French…
You should also listen and hear real French. Try this Free Lesson from FrenchPod101.com (click here to visit) and learn a bit of French right now!
- Lesson #1 Easy Self-Introductions in French
- Press play on the button below
- You can get more awesome French lessons at the link above.
1. Merci – Thank you
The most common way to say thank you in French is Merci. You can make it more formal by adding a title afterward such as Merci, madame.
When should you use it? In any situation, formal or informal. While buying a baguette or while at some French ball.
- Pronunciation: “mare-see”
Also, listen to this awesome audio lesson for the pronunciation.
You’ll hear all the best ways to say thank you in French.
- 3-Minute French – Manners by FrenchPod101
- click here for more MORE awesome French lessons.
2. Merci beaucoup – Thanks a lot
If you want to show even more thanks and appreciation, you say Merci, beaucoup . What does this mean? It means “Thanks a lot.” You can use it with anyone in any situation.
- Pronunciation: “mare-see-bo-coo”
3. Merci mille fois – A thousand times thank you
Here, you’re expressing a deep gratitude. You can use this phrase formally and informally.
- Pronunciation: “mare-see-meal-fwah”
4. Mille mercis – a thousand thank yous
OK, here’s a similar expression to the one above. Literally, you’re saying “A thousand thank yous.” You can use it when speaking with anyone to show a lot of gratitude and thanks.
- Pronunciation: “meal-mare-see”
5. Je te remercie – I thank you
Je te remercie means “I am thanking you” or “I thank you.” Because te is used informally, this expression should only be used between friends or someone you know well.
- Pronunciation: “Jhuh-tuh-ruh-mare-see”
7. Je vous remercie – I thank you (polite)
Je vous remercie is the formal version of “I am thanking you” or “I thank you.” Because vous can be either formal or plural, this expression should be used when addressing a person to whom you wish to show respect or to any group.
- Pronunciation: “Jhuh-voo-ruh-mare-see”
8. Je t’apprécie – I appreciate you
Je t’apprécie means “I appreciate you.” If you want to personally express appreciation for an individual with whom you are friends or close acquaintances, this expression works well. It is used informally because of the te (t’).
- Pronunciation: “jhuh-tah-pray-see”
9. Je vous apprécie – I appreciate you (polite)
Because of the vous, this is expression can be used with people in a formal situation or with any group of people. This expresses appreciation to a person who is older than you or who requires a show of respect. It also is used if you want to show appreciation for a group of people, such as an entire team.
- Pronunciation: “jhuh-zoo-zah-pray-see”
10. J’exprime mes remerciements – I am expressing my thanks
J’exprime mes remerciements means “I am expressing my thanks.” Exprimer des remerciements means “to express thanks.” Its forms can vary depending on the person or group speaking. This can be used in both formal and informal situations.
- Pronunciation: “jhex-preem-may-ruh-mare-see-mohn”
If a group wants to say thank you, the plural Nous would be used to indicate “We” in English. An example would be Nous exprimons nos remerciements, meaning “We express our thanks.”
11. J’exprime ma gratitude – I am expressing my gratitude
This is a very fancy way of saying thank you in French. Gratitude!
Plus, this phrase is a conjugated form of exprimer which means to express. This expression can change depending on the subject (Nous exprimons notre gratitude means “We express our gratitude.”) It can be used in any situation.
- Pronunciation: “jhex-preem-mah-grah-tee-tude”
Now….
How do you say “you’re welcome in French?
Great question. Glad you asked.
12. De rien – You’re welcome
Here’s the first phrase you should know.
It literally translates to “of nothing” to indicate that is was nothing, or no big deal. This is a very common expression and can be used in any situation.
- Pronunciation: “duh-ree-ihn.”
In Spanish, the expression de nada also literally translates to “of nothing.” These expressions are very similar to one another. In English, we might say, “It’s nothing.”
13. Il n’y a pas de quoi – You’re welcome
More literally it means “It is nothing or no big deal”
This can be both formal and informal.
- Pronunciation: “eel-nee-ya-pah-duh-kwa”
14. Je t’en prie – You’re welcome
Remember this one. This is the easiest way to say you’re welcome in French.
Because of the te (t’), this is an informal expression used between friends.
- Pronunciation: “jhuh-tohn-pree”
15. Je vous en prie – You’re welcome
This is a formal expression because of the vous. You can also use it to speak to a group of people.
- Pronunciation: “jhuh-voo-zohn-pree”
16. Bienvenue – Welcome (Canada only)
This is the French Canadian way of saying you’re welcome in French.
This expression developed from Canada’s nearness to English speakers. After a transaction in English, people say, “Welcome.” “Welcome” is translated as Bienvenue, and this carried over into Canadian French. This is not acceptable to say in France.
Remember, in France, Bienvenue is strictly used to welcome people, not to say “You’re welcome.”
- Pronunciation: “be-in-ven-oo.”
17. Pas de problème – No problem
Pas de problème means “No problem.” Literally it means “Not a problem.” This is a bit more informal, but it can be used with anyone.
- Pronunciation: “pah-duh-pro-blem”
18. Pas de souci – No problem
Literally, you are saying “Not a care (or worry.)” This is a more informal but can still be used in any situation.
- Pronunciation: “pah-duh-su-see”
19. Aucun problème – No problem
Another way of saying you’re welcome in French. Literally this means “Not any problem.” This is more informal but can be used with anyone.
- Pronunciation: “oh-coon-pro-blem”
20. Tout le plaisir est pour moi – My pleasure
Tout le plaisir est pour moi means “My pleasure.” It literally means “All the pleasure is for me.” This is a more formal expression, but it is acceptable to use with anyone.
- Pronunciation: “too-luh-play-zeer-ay-pohr-mwa”
Now, you know how to say thank you in French!
…and you’re welcome in French!
So, “merci” for reading this guide. Now that I’ve thanked you, you should leave a comment and tell me “De rien” or “you’re welcome.”
Also, print this tutorial out for later review.
Did this help? If you want extra help, check this out too:
– The Main Junkie
P.S. Want to speak French with an easy 3 minute lesson?
Then check out FrenchPod101. They have 3-10 minute audio/video lessons that get you speaking and understanding French. So, if you want to speak and learn this language…
Click here to get a Free Lifetime Account at FrenchPod101.com
