The most common way to say you're welcome in French is de rien (duh RYEHN), literally "it's nothing". For a more polite reply, say je vous en prie (zhuh voo zahn PREE), or je t'en prie to a friend. Avec plaisir (with pleasure) is warm and friendly, and pas de souci is the relaxed, everyday option.
- Everyday
- de rien
- Polite
- je vous en prie
- Friendly
- avec plaisir
- Casual
- pas de souci
- Level
- A1
Is de rien or je vous en prie more polite?
Je vous en prie is the more polite of the two. A waiter, a hotel receptionist or a colleague answering a senior manager would choose it. De rien is perfectly acceptable in daily life, but some people find it a touch offhand in formal settings, because it plays down the favour.
| French | Literally | Register | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| De rien | Of nothing | Everyday | Most situations |
| Il n'y a pas de quoi | There's no reason (to thank me) | Everyday | A small favour |
| Pas de quoi | No reason | Informal | Friends |
| Je vous en prie | I beg you (not to mention it) | Polite (vous) | Customers, strangers, work |
| Je t'en prie | Same, with tu | Warm but careful | Friends and family |
| Avec plaisir | With pleasure | Friendly | When you were glad to help |
| Pas de souci / Pas de problème | No worry / No problem | Casual | Colleagues, friends |
| C'est moi qui vous remercie | I'm the one thanking you | Polite | When you are grateful too |
What does je vous en prie really mean?
It comes from prier, to beg or to pray, and works as a courteous "not at all". It has a second life as "please, go ahead": you let someone through a door first, or invite a visitor to sit down, with the same phrase and a small gesture.
Merci beaucoup, madame. — Je vous en prie.
Thank you very much. — You're welcome.
Je peux m'asseoir ? — Je vous en prie.
May I sit down? — Please do.
Après vous. — Non, je vous en prie !
After you. — No, please, go ahead!
Can you say pas de souci?
Yes, and you will hear it constantly, in shops, offices and among friends. Some older speakers and language purists dislike pas de souci and pas de problème, so in a formal letter or with someone you want to impress, choose je vous en prie. In conversation, nobody will blink.
Merci pour le coup de main ! — Pas de souci.
Thanks for the help! — No worries.
Merci d'avoir attendu. — Avec plaisir.
Thanks for waiting. — My pleasure.
Merci, c'est gentil. — Mais de rien !
Thanks, that's kind. — Oh, it's nothing!
Mais adds warmth.
What do people say in Québec?
In Québec, the usual answer to merci is bienvenue, modelled on the English "you're welcome". In France, bienvenue only means "welcome", as in welcome to my home, so French speakers from Europe may find it surprising. De rien and je vous en prie are understood everywhere.
Start with the other half of the exchange on how to say thank you in French.
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Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
How do you pronounce de rien?
Say "duh RYEHN", but with a nasal vowel at the end and no real n sound: the air goes through your nose. Rien is one syllable, starting with a quick "ry".
Is de rien rude?
No. It is the normal everyday reply. It is simply less formal than je vous en prie, which suits customer service, work and older people you don't know.
What does avec plaisir mean?
"With pleasure." It says you were glad to help, so it is warmer than de rien. It is also how you accept an invitation: Un café ? — Avec plaisir !
What is the difference between je vous en prie and je t'en prie?
Only tu and vous. Use je vous en prie with someone you call vous, or with a group; je t'en prie with one person you call tu.