The first time I tried to be polite in France, I overdid it so hard I almost apologized for existing. I was in a small supermarket in Lyon. The cashier handed me my receipt, and I panicked and fired off merci /mɛʁ.si/ — thank you — three times in a row. She smiled, said de rien /də ʁjɛ̃/ — you’re welcome — and I realized I had just held a full conversation using only one word and anxiety.
A week later, a friend’s grandmother poured me more wine. I said merci, she replied je vous en prie /ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi/, and my brain heard “I beg you” and assumed I’d done something horribly wrong. (Spoiler: I hadn’t. She was just being very polite.)
By the end of this guide, you’ll know when to use merci, merci beaucoup, de rien, je vous en prie, avec plaisir, and a few other very French ways to say “thanks” and “no problem” without sounding like a confused yak in a cheese shop.
Quick Primer: Politeness Is Not Optional
In France, saying thank you is part of the social operating system. You don’t just say it for big favors; you sprinkle it over everyday life:
- When someone hands you your coffee
- When they open a door for you
- When the bus driver waits two extra seconds so you can jump on
Core pieces:
- merci /mɛʁ.si/ — thank you
- merci beaucoup /mɛʁ.si bo.ku/ — thank you very much
- de rien /də ʁjɛ̃/ — you’re welcome, no problem
- je vous en prie /ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi/ — you’re welcome (formal/polite)
- je t’en prie /ʒə tɑ̃ pʁi/ — you’re welcome (informal)
- avec plaisir /a.vɛk ple.ziʁ/ — with pleasure, happily
- pas de problème /pa də pʁɔ.blɛm/ — no problem
If you remember just merci and de rien, you can survive. If you add two or three more, you start to sound like you actually live there.
Core Ways To Say “Thank You”
Let’s start with thanking people. These are the phrases you’ll use all day.
Merci: The Everyday “Thanks”
On first mention:
- merci /mɛʁ.si/ — thank you
Short, simple, used constantly. You’ll use merci:
- At shops and cafés
- With friends and strangers
- In emails (followed by a comma)
| French | IPA | English |
| Merci. | mɛʁ.si | Thank you. |
| Merci beaucoup. | mɛʁ.si bo.ku | Thank you very much. |
| Merci bien. | mɛʁ.si bjɛ̃ | Thanks a lot. |
Merci beaucoup is stronger, but still very normal: use it when someone has really helped you, or you’re especially grateful.
Extra Ways To Say Thanks
Here are a few you’ll hear from native speakers.
| French | IPA | English | Register / Note |
| Merci. | mɛʁ.si | Thank you. | Neutral, universal |
| Merci beaucoup. | mɛʁ.si bo.ku | Thank you very much. | Stronger, very common |
| Merci bien. | mɛʁ.si bjɛ̃ | Thanks a lot. | Friendly, sometimes slightly ironic depending on tone |
| Un grand merci. | œ̃ ɡʁɑ̃ mɛʁ.si | A big thank you. | Often written, can be spoken |
| Merci pour votre aide. | mɛʁ.si puʁ vɔ.tʁɛt | Thank you for your help. | Polite |
| Merci pour tout. | mɛʁ.si puʁ tu | Thanks for everything. | Warm, friendly |
Usage Notes & Common Mistakes
- Saying “merci beaucoup” for every tiny thing (like handing you a napkin) can sound a bit intense. Regular merci is enough most of the time.
- Don’t add English “very” in French: ✗ merci très beaucoup is a monster, do not feed it. Just merci beaucoup.
Core Ways To Say “You’re Welcome”
Now for the replies. This is where the choice between neutral, friendly, and formal really matters.
De Rien: Simple, Friendly “No Problem”
On first mention:
- de rien /də ʁjɛ̃/ — you’re welcome, no problem (literally “of nothing”)
This is a very common, friendly response to merci in everyday life.
| French | IPA | English |
| De rien. | də ʁjɛ̃ | You’re welcome. / No problem. |
| Mais de rien. | mɛ də ʁjɛ̃ | You’re very welcome. |
Use de rien:
- With friends and family
- In casual situations
- When someone thanks you for something small
Je Vous En Prie / Je T’En Prie: Polite And Softer
On first mentions:
- je vous en prie /ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi/ — you’re welcome (formal/polite)
- je t’en prie /ʒə tɑ̃ pʁi/ — you’re welcome (informal, with tu)
These sound a bit more elegant and polite than de rien. You’ll hear je vous en prie in shops, offices, with older people, or whenever you want to sound extra courteous.
| French | IPA | English |
| Je vous en prie. | ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi | You’re welcome. (formal/polite) |
| Je t’en prie. | ʒə tɑ̃ pʁi | You’re welcome. (informal) |
Je vous en prie can also be used like “go ahead / after you” when you let someone pass, or give them permission to do something.
Example:
Merci, je peux m’asseoir ici ?
/mɛʁ.si ʒə pø ma.swɑʁ i.si/
Thanks, can I sit here?
Je vous en prie.
/ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi/
Please do. / Go ahead.
Avec Plaisir, Pas De Problème, And Friends
On first mentions:
- avec plaisir /a.vɛk ple.ziʁ/ — with pleasure, gladly
- pas de problème /pa də pʁɔ.blɛm/ — no problem
- il n’y a pas de quoi /il n‿ja pa də kwa/ — don’t mention it (more common in some regions / slightly old-fashioned in others)
| French | IPA | English | Register / Note |
| Avec plaisir. | a.vɛk ple.ziʁ | My pleasure. / Gladly. | Friendly, nice in service |
| Pas de problème. | pa də pʁɔ.blɛm | No problem. | Very common, neutral-casual |
| Il n’y a pas de quoi. | il n‿ja pa də kwa | Don’t mention it. | Slightly formal/old-fashioned, still used |
You’ll often hear:
Merci beaucoup !
Avec plaisir.
in restaurants or shops where someone has taken the time to help you.
Tiny Grammar & Pronunciation Tips
Not much grammar this time, just pronunciation that makes you sound less touristy.
Merci
- merci /mɛʁ.si/
- The r is that French throat /ʁ/ (like you’re gargling politely).
- The e is like “eh” in English “bed”: mɛʁ.
- The r is that French throat /ʁ/ (like you’re gargling politely).
De Rien
- de rien /də ʁjɛ̃/
- de is a quick də, almost like a half-swallowed “duh.”
- rien /ʁjɛ̃/ has the French /ʁ/ + jɛ̃, a nasal vowel. Try saying “r-yen” but letting the sound resonate in your nose.
- de is a quick də, almost like a half-swallowed “duh.”
Je Vous En Prie / Je T’En Prie
- je vous en prie /ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi/
- The vous en links: vu-zɑ̃
- The vous en links: vu-zɑ̃
- je t’en prie /ʒə tɑ̃ pʁi/
- Think ʒə-tɑ̃-pri, smooth and connected.
- Think ʒə-tɑ̃-pri, smooth and connected.
Focus more on rhythm than perfect purity. Polite tone + okay pronunciation beats perfect IPA plus panic.
Usage Notes & Common Mistakes
Let’s fix the most usual “thank you / you’re welcome” mishaps.
- Saying only merci and never replying
In shops, cafés, or as a guest, it’s good to answer merci with something — even just de rien or avec plaisir if someone thanks you. - Using je t’en prie with vous
- With vous: je vous en prie.
- With tu: je t’en prie.
Mixing them sounds odd, like “I you welcome-sir.”
- With vous: je vous en prie.
- Overdoing merci beaucoup everywhere
Use merci for small things and merci beaucoup when it’s really more than expected. If someone just hands you a receipt, merci is enough; if they help you carry your suitcase up five flights of stairs, merci beaucoup starts to make sense. - Using bonne nuit as a casual “bye” in the evening
It sneaks in here because “Bonne nuit” often shows up after a merci at night. Remember:
- Bonne soirée /bɔn swa.ʁe/ — Have a good evening (leaving but not sleeping yet)
- Bonne nuit /bɔn nɥi/ — Good night (when going to sleep)
- Bonne soirée /bɔn swa.ʁe/ — Have a good evening (leaving but not sleeping yet)
- So if a friend drops you home after dinner and you’re not literally going to bed: Merci, bonne soirée ! is safer than bonne nuit.
Mini Dialogues
Short, real-life mini-scenes with thank you and you’re welcome.
1. At A Bakery
Bonjour, une baguette tradition, s’il vous plaît.
/bɔ̃.ʒuʁ yn ba.ɡɛt tʁa.di.sjɔ̃ sil vu plɛ/
Hello, one traditional baguette, please.
Voilà, ça fait 1 euro 20.
/vwa.la sa fɛ œ̃ n‿ø.ʁo vɛ̃/
Here you go, that’s 1 euro 20.
Merci.
/mɛʁ.si/
Thank you.
Je vous en prie, bonne journée.
/ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi bɔn ʒuʁ.ne/
You’re welcome, have a good day.
2. A Friend Helping You
Merci pour ton aide !
/mɛʁ.si puʁ tɔ̃ nɛd/
Thanks for your help!
De rien, c’était rien du tout.
/də ʁjɛ̃ se.tɛ ʁjɛ̃ dy tu/
You’re welcome, it was nothing at all.
Si, ça m’a vraiment aidé.
/si sa ma vʁɛ.mɑ̃ nɛ.de/
No, it really helped me.
Bon, alors avec plaisir.
/bɔ̃ a.lɔʁ a.vɛk ple.ziʁ/
Well then, my pleasure.
3. In A Restaurant
Merci beaucoup, c’était délicieux.
/mɛʁ.si bo.ku se.tɛ de.li.sjø/
Thank you very much, it was delicious.
Avec plaisir, vous avez passé un bon moment ?
/a.vɛk ple.ziʁ vu za.ve pa.se œ̃ bɔ̃ mɔ.mɑ̃/
My pleasure, did you have a good time?
Oui, merci, vraiment.
/wi mɛʁ.si vʁɛ.mɑ̃/
Yes, thank you, really.
Je vous en prie, bonne soirée.
/ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi bɔn swa.ʁe/
You’re welcome, have a good evening.
Quick Reference
Screenshot-ready summary.
| French | IPA | English |
| Merci. | mɛʁ.si | Thank you. |
| Merci beaucoup. | mɛʁ.si bo.ku | Thank you very much. |
| Merci bien. | mɛʁ.si bjɛ̃ | Thanks a lot. |
| Merci pour votre aide. | mɛʁ.si puʁ vɔ.tʁɛt | Thank you for your help. |
| Merci pour tout. | mɛʁ.si puʁ tu | Thanks for everything. |
| De rien. | də ʁjɛ̃ | You’re welcome. / No problem. |
| Je vous en prie. | ʒə vu zɑ̃ pʁi | You’re welcome. (formal/polite) |
| Je t’en prie. | ʒə tɑ̃ pʁi | You’re welcome. (informal) |
| Avec plaisir. | a.vɛk ple.ziʁ | My pleasure. |
| Pas de problème. | pa də pʁɔ.blɛm | No problem. |
| Il n’y a pas de quoi. | il n‿ja pa də kwa | Don’t mention it. |
| Merci, au revoir. | mɛʁ.si o ʁə.vwaʁ | Thank you, goodbye. |
| Merci, bonne journée. | mɛʁ.si bɔn ʒuʁ.ne | Thank you, have a good day. |
| Merci, bonne soirée. | mɛʁ.si bɔn swa.ʁe | Thank you, have a good evening. |
Five-Minute Practice Plan
- Merci Ladder (1 minute)
Say each phrase out loud twice, from light to strong:
Merci.
Merci bien.
Merci beaucoup.
Un grand merci. - Reply Pairing (1 minute)
Pair each “thank you” with two replies, and say them out loud:
- Merci. → De rien. / Avec plaisir.
- Merci beaucoup. → Je vous en prie. / Pas de problème.
- Merci. → De rien. / Avec plaisir.
- Formal vs Informal (1 minute)
Say these sets:
- Formal: Merci beaucoup, je vous en prie.
- Informal: Merci beaucoup, je t’en prie.
Switch back and forth a few times so your mouth feels the différence between vous and tu.
- Formal: Merci beaucoup, je vous en prie.
- Micro-Dialogues (1 minute)
Invent two tiny scenes and say them out loud:
- Shop: Merci, au revoir, bonne journée. / Je vous en prie, au revoir.
- Friend: Merci pour ton aide. / De rien, à plus.
- Shop: Merci, au revoir, bonne journée. / Je vous en prie, au revoir.
- 20-Second Recording (1 minute)
Record yourself thanking someone formally:
Merci beaucoup pour votre aide. Je vous en prie, bonne journée.
Listen once and check if you’re linking smoothly (for example vous en → vu-zɑ̃). - Real-Life Mission
Next time someone does even a tiny thing for you in French (online, in person, at a café), do the full combo out loud:
Merci beaucoup. + one reply if you’re on the other side, or + au revoir / bonne journée if you’re the customer. That’s when the phrases stop being “just vocabulary” and start being your actual French manners.
A Polite Little Yak Goodbye
French thank-yous aren’t just decoration; they’re how you show you’re playing the same social game as everyone else. Once merci, de rien, and je vous en prie feel normal in your mouth, you stop sounding like a visiting tourist and start sounding like that slightly fluffy foreigner who knows exactly how to say “thanks” like a local.