The expression “de rien” is very commonly used in French. It is a polite way to respond to someone who thanks you. However, there are a few subtleties and things to know in order to use it correctly.
Discover in this article everything you need to know about the expression "de rien" and learn how to say it correctly!
How do you say “de rien” in English? 🇺🇸
In English, the literal translation of “de rien” is “you’re welcome”. But just as English has many other words and expressions to respond to a thank you, it is not the only expression in French either. In English, we have the expressions You’re welcome, no problem, no worries, sure, my pleasure, and many more.
What to say in response to "merci"?
“De rien” is a common and informal response used to say that you are not seeking thanks, that the favor was nothing special, almost trivial. It can be used in a wide variety of situations - you won't go wrong using this expression with strangers.
Here is an example of how the expression “de rien” is used. Imagine you are at the Brussels Tourism Office:
You: Bonjour, je recherche un cours de francais a Bruxelles.
The lady at the Tourism Office: Bien sur ! Voici une liste de professeurs certifies et de cours en groupe.
You: Merci beaucoup, c’est super !
The lady at the Tourism Office: De rien !
4 alternatives to “de rien”
1. “Il n’y a pas de quoi” or “ce n’est rien” are also common responses that express the same idea as “de rien”. You can use them without overthinking it.
2. “Avec plaisir” is a response often used in informal contexts or between friends when you want to express that you were happy to help.
3. “Je vous en prie” is a more formal expression. It is used in more professional settings or when speaking to older people or strangers.
4. “C’est moi qui vous remercie” is a response that can be used to express that you are grateful toward the person who expressed their gratitude.
Is it "derien" or "de rien"?
This is a trap that even some native French speakers fall into. There is only one correct way to write this expression: “de rien” - always as two separate words.
Why do the French say "de rien"? Where does this expression come from?
The French expression “de rien” comes from the longer expression “il n’y a pas de quoi”. Over time, this expression became shorter and less formal, evolving into “de rien”.
The origin of the longer expression traces back to the Latin “quid rei” which means “what thing”. This expression was gradually replaced by “il n’y a pas de quoi” over the centuries, until it became the common response to a thank you that we know today.
Interestingly, other languages often use different formulations to respond to a thank you.
For example, in English, we use “you’re welcome” or “don’t mention it”, while in Spanish, you can say “de nada” (which literally means “of nothing”, very similar to "de rien") or “con gusto” (which means “with pleasure”).
How to correctly pronounce the expression “de rien” in French
Here is how to correctly pronounce the expression “de rien” in French:
- “De”: Pronounce the “d” sound followed by the “e” sound as in the French word “deux”. The pronunciation is fairly quick and light, with almost no emphasis on the consonant “d”.
- “Rien”: Pronounce the “ri” sound as in the word “riviere”, 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 “de rien” is quick and light, with a slight word stress on “rien”.
