Updated on May 30, 2024
14 ways to say “thank you” in French
Like saying “hello” or “I’m sorry” in French, expressing thanks is one of the most common polite interactions in everyday life, both in conversations and in writing.
This is why it’s one of the first polite phrases you’re likely to learn as a beginner in French. But there are many different ways to say “thank you” in French, depending on the situation and the person you are talking to. Pronunciation is also important if you don’t want to make a faux pas.
Let’s look at the 14 most common ways in which native speakers say “thank you” in the French language, in a variety of contexts.
We’re starting with the basics to say “thank you” in French. The word merci (thank you) is by far the most common and the easiest way to thank somebody. It can be used on its own in straightforward daily exchanges, for instance, to thank a shop assistant for their help or a receptionist at the end of a phone call.
You can also specify what you are thanking the person for, by using either de (of) or pour (for) with nouns or de (of) with verbs:
| Structure | French example | English example |
| Merci de + noun | Merci de votre aide | Thank you of (for) your help |
| Merci pour + noun | Merci pour votre cadeau | Thank you for your present |
| Merci de + verb (present infinitive) for a future action | Merci de répondre (avant demain) | Thank you for answering (before tomorrow) |
| Merci de + verb (past infinitive) for a past action | Merci d’être venu (hier) Merci de vous être déplacé | Thank you for coming (yesterday) |
You can also specify who you are thanking with the preposition à (to):
| French example | English example |
| Merci à toi | Thank you (informal form to one person) |
| Merci à vous | Thank you (to more than one person or formal form to one person) |
| Merci à tous | Thank you to all |
| Merci à Marc | Thank you to Marc |
Here is the first of several ways to say “thank you” by adding a little something to the basic merci. The expression merci beaucoup (thank you very much) is just about as common in French. You can also use it on its own or with the same prepositions de, pour or à as with merci.
But there is a bit of a trick with the adverb beaucoup (a lot): it contains the sound ou, which is not to be confused with the letter u from the French alphabet. With the incorrect pronunciation, beaucoup becomes beau cul (nice ass). In other words, merci beaucoup can easily sound like merci beau cul (thank you nice ass). A mistake bound to cause embarrassment or simply hilarity…
If you don’t yet have the confidence to get the pronunciation right, or if you find yourself in a more formal situation where such an error might be taken the wrong way, merci bien (literally, thank you well) may be a safer option than merci beaucoup. While a little less common, its meaning and use are pretty similar.
Next comes un grand merci (a big thank you). Like the previous three expressions, it can be used on its own or with the same prepositions de, pour or à. It tends to be used to say “thank you” in French in a more formal way, rather than in everyday, casual exchanges. For the same reason, it’s also fairly common to use it in writing:
Un grand merci de votre participation à notre conférence.
A big thank you for your participation in our conference.
Un grand merci de nous avoir offert un si beau cadeau de mariage.
A big thank you for having offered us such a beautiful wedding present.
The phrase merci de tout cœur (thank you from the whole heart) is a nice way to express the extent or depth of your gratefulness. As such, it tends to be used for greater or more emotional occasions. But contrary to un grand merci, it may be more appropriate to use it only in your personal life rather than in business situations.
As an alternative to merci de tout cœur, the phrase merci du fond du cœur (thank you from the bottom of the heart) is another heartfelt way to say thank you. It can be used in pretty much the same way and for the same situations as the previous phrase.
Finally, merci d’avance (thank you in advance) is used for something yet to come, rather than something that has already been done. You will often see it at the very end of French emails, in particular when a request has been made:
Merci d’avance de votre compréhension.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Merci d’avance de me répondre dès que possible.
Thank you in advance for answering me as soon as possible.
You can also use “Merci par avance” as a synonym.
“Mille mercis” is an emphatic way to express gratitude in French, literally translating to “a thousand thanks.” It amplifies the appreciation beyond a simple “thank you,” indicating deep gratitude and sincerity.
“Merci mon ami(e)” means “Thank you my friend.” Adding “mon ami” or “mon amie” personalizes the expression of gratitude and reflects a warm and affectionate relationship between the speakers.
“Merci pour tout” translates to “Thank you for everything.”
This phrase is used when you want to show appreciation for all the support, kindness, or assistance provided by the person who helped you or did a favor for you.
“Merci infiniment” literally means “Thank you infinitely.” This expression is a bit stronger and can also be used in a formal setting.
“Merci mille fois” is an emphatic way to express gratitude, meaning “thank you a thousand times.”
“Je te remercie” is a formal way to say “I thank you” in the French language, specifically used when addressing someone with whom you use the informal “tu.”
It’s a polite and respectful way to express gratitude directly to someone you know well or have a close relationship with.
“Remerciez-le/la de ma part” translates to “Thank him/her for me” in English. It’s a formal way to convey gratitude through someone else, indicating that the speaker is asking the person they’re addressing to convey their thanks to another individual on their behalf.
While “remercier” is less common than “merci,” it adds a layer of formality and distance to the expression of gratitude.
With these 14 expressions, you can pick the perfect way to say thank you in French in all the situations you may find yourself in, in your personal life, at work or simply in common interactions in shops and other venues.
No doubt you will be thankful to know these useful phrases to show your gratitude.
Here are also some of the French words and expressions used to express gratitude in a formal or informal setting.
While “Merci” is the most common way to say “Thank you”, you can also say to a French person “Je vous remercie,” “Merci de tout coeur” or “Je vous en suis reconnaissant(e).”
The formal way to say thank you in French is “Merci beaucoup” or “Je vous remercie beaucoup.” These are used in both Canadian French and the French spoken in France.
The French word for gratitude is “gratitude.”
“Je vous en prie” is another way to say “You’re welcome” in French. It’s a polite expression used in response to someone’s gratitude, similar to “De rien.” Literally translated, it means “I beg of you,” but in this context, it’s understood as a polite way of saying “You’re welcome” or “Don’t mention it.”
In French, you say “You’re welcome” as “De rien”, ”Pas de problème” or “Il n’y a pas de quoi”. These phrases is commonly used to express acknowledgment or acceptance of thanks in response to a gesture, favor, or gratitude expressed by someone else.
The French slang for “merci” is “cimer.” This French word is a form of verlan, a type of French slang where syllables of words are inverted. It’s widely used among younger crowds in spoken French.
Expressing gratitude in French offers a rich array of phrases, from the simple “merci” to more elaborate expressions like “mille mercis” and “merci infiniment.”
Understanding these nuances as you learn French not only enriches language proficiency but also deepens cultural appreciation. French people value sincerity in expressions of thanks, whether conveyed casually among friends or formally in public settings.
So, whether it’s a quick “merci” to your French friends or a heartfelt “mille mercis,” the sincerity behind these formal and informal phrases reflects the warmth and appreciation inherent in French culture.
