The expression "you're welcome" is widely used in French. It's used to politely respond to someone who thanks you. But there are a few subtleties and things you need to know to use it properly.
Find out everything you need to know about the expression "de rien" in this article and learn how to say it correctly!
How do you say "you're welcome" in English? 🇺🇸
In English, the literal translation of "you're welcome" is "you're welcome". But just as English has many other words and expressions to respond to a thank you, it's not the only expression in French. In English, we have the expressions You're welcome, no problem, no worries, sure, my pleasure, and many others.
What do you say to a thank you?
"You're welcome" is a common, informal response used to say that you're not looking to be thanked, that the service rendered is normal, almost harmless. It can be used in a wide variety of situations, so don't take any chances with strangers.
Here's an example of the use of the expression "you're welcome". Imagine you're at the Brussels Tourist Office:
You : Hello, I am looking for a French courses in Brussels.
The lady from the Tourist Office: You bet! Here's a list of certified teachers and group courses.
You : Thanks a lot, that's great!
The lady from the Tourist Office: You're welcome!
4 alternatives to "You're welcome
1. " You're welcome It's nothing" or "ce n'est rien" are also common answers that express the same idea as "you're welcome". You can choose them without asking too many questions.
2. " With pleasure "is a response often used in informal contexts or among friends, when we want to express that we were happy to be of service.
3. " Please do "is a more formal expression. It is used in more professional situations, or when speaking to older people or strangers.
4. " I'd like to thank you "is a response that can be used to express gratitude to the person who expressed it.
Is it derien or de rien?
It's a trap some native French speakers fall into. There's only one way to write this expression and that's " de rien" .
Why do we say you're welcome? Where does this expression come from?
The French expression "de rien" comes from "il n'y a pas de quoi". Over time, this expression became shorter and less formal, and was transformed into "de rien".
The origin of the longer expression comes from the Latin "quid rei", meaning "what a thing". This expression was gradually replaced by "il n'y a pas de quoi" over the centuries, until today it is a common response to a thank-you.
However, it's interesting to note that other languages often use different wording to respond to a thank-you.
In English, for example, we use "you're welcome" or "don't mention it", while in Spanish we might say "de nada" (literally meaning "of nothing") or "con gusto" (meaning "with pleasure").
How do you pronounce "de rien" in French?
Here's how to pronounce "de rien" in French:
- "De: Pronounce the "d" sound followed by the "e" sound as in the word "deux". The pronunciation is fairly fast and light, with almost no stress on the consonant "d".
- "Rien": Pronounce the "ri" sound as in the word "river", followed by the "en" sound as in the word "mien". You should emphasize the "r" sound when pronouncing "rien", with a slight pronunciation of the vowel "i".
Overall, the pronunciation of "you're welcome" is fast and light, with light word stress on the "nothing".
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