{"id":119834,"date":"2023-03-17T17:41:43","date_gmt":"2023-03-17T21:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/youre-welcome-in-french\/"},"modified":"2025-02-17T09:59:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T14:59:55","slug":"youre-welcome-in-french","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/youre-welcome-in-french\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways to Say You’re Welcome in French"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you begin learning some French phrases<\/a> for “you’re welcome,” they may seem a bit strange at first.\u00a0How exactly do French phrases that translate to “from nothing,” “I pray you for it” or “there is no what” amount to “you’re welcome?” More importantly, what’s the difference between these phrases<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Here, we’ll introduce you to the many options you have when saying “you’re welcome” in French, what they each mean and when you should use them.<\/p>\n

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If you prefer consuming video content, you can find more pronunciation and tips about these phrases with the FluentU French YouTube clip<\/a> below on how to say “you’re welcome” in French:<\/p>\n

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1. The Most Popular: De rien<\/em> <\/h2>\n

De rien<\/em> is the first form of \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d I learned in French class and, for a long time, it was the only one I knew. This isn’t surprising considering that de rien<\/em> is the most common “you’re welcome” phrase used in France<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

My mom never liked it though because it literally means \u201cfrom nothing,\u201d which could imply that what you did was inconsequential or undeserving of gratitude. In a sense, that’s true.<\/p>\n

De rien<\/em> is generally used as a response to basic courtesies or friendly favors<\/strong>, like holding the door open for someone, offering a compliment or frequenting a business. The phrase isn’t exactly self-deprecating, but technically it downplays the action.<\/p>\n

We should be careful not to read too much into the word-for-word translation, though. Language is much more subtle than that, and literal translations rarely work.<\/p>\n

In other words, although de rien\u00a0<\/em>literally means “from nothing,” you shouldn’t ban it from your vocabulary. Yes, small acts of kindness do matter, and de rien<\/em> is commonly used and understood in much the same way that “you’re welcome” is in English.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Quelle belle robe ! <\/em>(What a beautiful dress!)<\/p>\n

B: Merci ! <\/em>(Thank you!)<\/p>\n

A: De rien. <\/em>(You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

If\u00a0de rien<\/em> is so popular, why should you bother reading about the other phrases listed here?<\/p>\n

While\u00a0de rien<\/em> is fitting for many situations, it’s considered informal<\/strong> and isn’t the best option to use in a professional context or when you need to make a good impression.<\/p>\n

So, if you’re doing business in French or are meeting with someone important, it may be better to go with a different phrase.<\/p>\n

2. The Formal One: Je vous en prie<\/em> <\/h2>\n

Je vous en prie <\/em>is the most formal, traditional way<\/strong> to say \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d in French. This is the phrase to employ in a business setting<\/a> or when you want to show someone extra respect.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Je vous remercie de m’avoir consid\u00e9r\u00e9 pour ce poste. <\/em>(Thank you for considering me for this position.)<\/p>\n

B: Je vous en prie. <\/em>(You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

Remember how I said that literal translations rarely work? Je vous en prie<\/em> is an excellent example, as its literal translation is \u201cI pray you for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Je <\/em>is the first person singular pronoun, \u201cI.\u201d Vous<\/em> is the formal or plural second person pronoun, \u201cyou.\u201d Since vous<\/em> is being used as a direct object, it goes right after the subject and before the verb.<\/p>\n

En<\/em> is a pronoun<\/a> that replaces de <\/em>(of, for) and its object in certain sentences. Here, it refers to the action which sparked gratitude and amounts to \u201cfor it.\u201d Finally, prie <\/em>is a conjugated form of the verb prier <\/em>(to pray).<\/p>\n

So… how does that mean \u201cyou\u2019re welcome?\u201d It certainly seems like a strange, stuffy old phrase from a medieval court. Technically, it’s a way of asking permission to do whatever you did in the first place. In a sense, this phrase completes the conversational cycle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It may sound like we’re overthinking this, but it could improve your understanding of the phrase. The cycle begins when a certain need is presented: Let\u2019s say you\u2019re on the m\u00e9tro <\/em>(French subway system). The car is packed, and an older woman boards.<\/p>\n

Next is the action, in this case offering the woman your seat. Then comes acceptance and gratitude: The woman sits and says merci beaucoup <\/em>(thank you very much).<\/p>\n

Finally, you respond with je vous en prie,<\/em> which humbly refers to the action and makes the conversation come full circle.<\/p>\n

Or, it could be interpreted as a hyper-polite<\/strong> way of requesting the honor of giving up your seat.<\/p>\n

In any case, you don\u2019t need to remember all of that unless you want esoteric knowledge you can bring up later to win a trivia game or impress people at a dinner party.<\/p>\n

The important thing to know is that je vous en prie<\/em> is the most formal, proper way to convey \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d in French.<\/p>\n

3. The Less Formal One: Je t\u2019en prie<\/em> <\/h2>\n

Does this phrase look familiar? Je t\u2019en prie<\/em> is essentially the same as je vous en prie<\/em>. The formal you pronoun, vous,<\/em> has simply been replaced with the informal tu<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The result is a semi-informal<\/strong> way of saying \u201cyou\u2019re welcome.\u201d It’s informal because you use it with people who you address as tu,<\/em> but it’s also formal because it has the same construction and sense of permission as je vous en prie.<\/em><\/p>\n

In other words, it’s more formal than de rien<\/em>\u00a0but less formal than je vous en prie<\/em>.<\/p>\n

So when exactly would you use it? Je t\u2019en prie <\/em>is a good option if you simply want to be extra polite or if your gesture was particularly generous, like giving someone an expensive or deeply meaningful present.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Merci mille fois pour le cadeau ! J’adore ce jeu. <\/i>(Thank you very much for the present! I love this game.)<\/p>\n

B: Je t’en prie. <\/em>(You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

4. The Reassuring You’re Welcome: Pas de probl\u00e8me\u00a0<\/em> <\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s one that\u2019s easier to understand, one that actually can be taken literally! Pas de probl\u00e8me<\/em> is simply and directly translated as \u201cno problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

As in English, this phrase can be used to reassure your interlocutor<\/strong> that your kind gesture wasn’t an inconvenience to you.<\/p>\n

Think about it: When someone goes out of their way to help you<\/a>, you might worry that your need cost them their time, or you may even feel like you were a burden.<\/p>\n

Pas de probl\u00e8me<\/em> would encourage you not to stress over it. Likewise, you can say it to ease the mind of someone you’ve helped.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Merci de m’avoir attendu. Le train est arriv\u00e9 en retard. <\/em>(Thanks for waiting for me. The train arrived late.)<\/p>\n

B: Pas de probl\u00e8me. <\/em>(No problem\/You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

5. The Casual One: Il n\u2019y a pas de quoi\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, this one isn’t so straightforward. Il n\u2019y a pas de quoi<\/em> literally means “there is no what,\u201d which probably doesn\u2019t tell you much about what it actually means.<\/p>\n

The phrase derives from il y a<\/em> (there is), the negative particle pas de <\/em>(no, none) and the interrogative article quoi <\/em>(what). In short, it\u2019s best to think of it as \u201cthere is no reason [to thank me].\u201d<\/p>\n

In sense and function, it’s similar to de rien,<\/em> as it could suggest that appreciation isn’t necessary. Il n\u2019y a pas de quoi<\/em> is also casual, so you’d probably reserve using it for those basic, everyday gestures<\/strong> and avoid saying it in a formal situation.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Merci pour la pizza. <\/em>(Thanks for the pizza.)<\/p>\n

B: Il n’y a pas de quoi. <\/em>(You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

You can use it relatively interchangeably with de rien,<\/em> but this one is harder to say (since it’s longer) and a bit less common.<\/p>\n

Since il n\u2019y a pas de quoi<\/em> is a bit long, in practice, it’s often shortened to a quick y’<\/strong>a pas de quoi<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

6. The Chill One: Pas de souci<\/em> <\/h2>\n

This phrase literally translates to “No worries” and is used very similarly to Pas de probl\u00e8me. <\/em><\/p>\n

This is an informal way to say “you’re welcome” but it sometimes means something more like “all right.” Pas de souci <\/em>can also just be a way to let someone know that something isn’t a big deal.<\/p>\n

Some of the more traditionally minded French language experts (like the Acad\u00e9mie Fran\u00e7aise<\/a>) believe the phrase is overused and could be replaced by oui <\/em>(yes) in a lot of cases.<\/p>\n

And some people find the phrase to be rude or even pompous<\/a>\u2014so while most French speakers you meet probably won’t find Pas de souci<\/em> to be rude (it’s very commonly used), you might want to be careful about using it in formal situations.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Merci d’avoir retrouv\u00e9 ma bague. <\/em>(Thanks for finding my ring.)<\/p>\n

B: Pas de souci. <\/em>(No worries\/You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

7. The Southern French Option: Avec plaisir <\/em><\/h2>\n

French isn’t just about the textbook Parisian French most people learn.<\/strong> The language is spoken around the world, and each region has its unique accent and expressions.<\/p>\n

Next, we’ll be looking at a few “you’re welcome” phrases specific to different regions of the French-speaking world. For these phrases, the key factor in choosing which to use is not formality, as with the previous ones, but location.<\/p>\n

Avec plaisir\u00a0<\/em>(with pleasure), for instance, is a common response used in southern France<\/strong>, especially in Toulouse, but it could sound awkward in other areas.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, though,\u00a0avec plaisir\u00a0<\/em>is straightforward, especially for English speakers, since it’s almost the same as “my pleasure.”<\/p>\n

Pay attention, though, because\u00a0mon plaisir,<\/em> the direct translation of “my pleasure,” isn’t really used in French and would sound a bit strange.<\/p>\n

But in southern France,\u00a0avec plaisir<\/em> is an enticing option to diversify your vocabulary and sound more like a local<\/strong>.\u00a0Avec plaisir<\/em> kindly conveys that you enjoyed what you did or were glad to help.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Merci pour la lettre que tu m’as envoy\u00e9. <\/em>(Thanks for the letter you sent me.)<\/p>\n

B: Avec plaisir. <\/em>(With pleasure\/you’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

8. The Swiss Choice: \u00c0 votre service\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n

Now we’re headed to one of France’s neighbors, Switzerland. One of their local expressions is\u00a0\u00e0\u00a0votre service<\/i>,<\/em> which means “at your service.”<\/p>\n

It might seem a bit chivalrous, but it’s a polite way of saying that you were just doing your duty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Also, note that because this phrase includes the formal possessive pronoun votre,<\/em> it’s appropriate to use with people you don’t know very well<\/strong>. This especially makes sense if you’re acting in an official capacity, such as waiting tables at a restaurant or working at a hotel.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Merci beaucoup ! Le d\u00eener \u00e9tait excellent. <\/em>(Thank you very much! The dinner was excellent.)<\/p>\n

B: \u00c0 votre service. <\/em>(You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

Most likely, though, you’re looking to travel in Switzerland, not work in the Swiss hospitality industry. But now you’ll understand the expression if someone uses it to respond to your own “thank you.”<\/p>\n

And, you can still employ it yourself if you want to be extra courteous or practice your Swiss French<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

9. The Canadian Option: Bienvenue<\/em> <\/h2>\n

Next, we’re off to the Canadian province of Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>, where a distinct form of French, qu\u00e9becois, is spoken. One of their regional phrases is\u00a0bienvenue<\/em>.<\/p>\n

However, it’s not the\u00a0bienvenue<\/em> you’re used to. There’s a good chance one of your first French words was\u00a0bienvenue,<\/em> meaning “welcome” (as in “welcome to my home”).<\/p>\n

While this is indeed a common and certainly helpful expression, in Qu\u00e9bec, the exact same word is sometimes employed to communicate “you’re welcome.”<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Merci pour le caf\u00e9. <\/em>(Thanks for the coffee.)<\/p>\n

B: Bienvenue. <\/em>(You’re welcome.)<\/p>\n

It may seem strange at first, but ironically, this is almost exactly what we say in English: “you’re welcome<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

Be careful, though; outside of Qu\u00e9bec, the word is rarely used in this sense<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In fact, in other parts of the world, saying bienvenue<\/em> in response to\u00a0merci<\/em> would seem about as out-of-place as it did to you when you started reading this section.<\/p>\n

So… Which Do I Use?<\/h2>\n

We’ve certainly opened up your options for saying “you’re welcome.” Adding to your French repertoire is always a plus, but we understand that in the midst of a conversation, you probably don’t have time to run through a list of possible responses, weigh each one, consider the contextual factors and finally settle on the most appropriate choice.<\/p>\n

When in doubt, just remember:\u00a0je vous en prie\u00a0<\/em>for formal situations and\u00a0de rien<\/em> for informal ones<\/strong>. These two are widely used and aren’t unique to a particular region.<\/p>\n

Still not sure? Formality in French culture can be difficult to interpret, but in general, too formal is better than too informal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Je vous en prie<\/em> may sound over-the-top in certain cases, but it’s better than potentially offending someone by being too familiar.<\/p>\n

Practicing these social situations is essential. Luckily, tons of examples of informality and formality can be found in French media, so feel free to look up YouTube clips of talk shows<\/a>, news segments and movies to see how native speakers navigate these situations. You can now even use YouTube videos with FluentU<\/a> to create your own language learning lessons.\u00a0

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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