French · Real conversations
How to respond to “Merci !” in French
A reply to thanks acknowledges the other person's appreciation. Several natural choices work, with different levels of warmth.
What you might hear
Merci !
Thank you!
Choose a reply that fits
Je t'en prie.
You're welcome.
A broadly useful acknowledgment.
Avec plaisir.
Happy to help.
Use after helping someone willingly.
Ce n'était rien.
It was nothing.
A modest reply after a small favor.
Merci à toi aussi.
Thank you, too.
Return thanks when appreciation is mutual.
Two short exchanges
A small favor
Merci !
Thank you!
Je t'en prie.
You're welcome.
Someone thanking you for help
Merci pour ton aide.
Thanks for your help.
Avec plaisir.
Happy to help.
Your turn
Reply modestly after a small favor that was easy for you.
Reveal a sample reply
Ce n'était rien.
It was nothing.
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.
