French · Real conversations
How to respond to “Je suis désolé / désolée.” in French
An apology can be acknowledged without a long discussion. Choose the reply that reflects how you actually feel.
What you might hear
Je suis désolé / désolée.
I'm sorry.
Choose a reply that fits
Ce n'est pas grave.
That's okay.
Use when you are comfortable reassuring the person.
Ne t'inquiète pas.
Don't worry about it.
Suitable for a minor issue that needs no further action.
Merci de me l'avoir dit.
Thanks for telling me.
Acknowledge the explanation without declaring everything resolved.
J'apprécie tes excuses.
I appreciate your apology.
Recognize the apology while leaving room for a further conversation.
Two short exchanges
A minor inconvenience
Je suis désolé / désolée.
I'm sorry.
Ce n'est pas grave.
That's okay.
A more careful apology
Désolé / désolée pour le dérangement.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Ne t'inquiète pas.
Don't worry about it.
Your turn
Acknowledge that the person has explained what happened.
Reveal a sample reply
Merci de me l'avoir dit.
Thanks for telling me.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
