Thursday, January 9, 2020

How to Translate the French Expression De Rien

The French phrase  de rien  (pronounced deu-r yeh) is one that many students  learn to translate as youre welcome. But this common expression of courtesy actually means something slightly different. Its not considered improper or impolite to use  de rien  when someone thanks you, but there are other words that may be more appropriate. Usage The closest English equivalent to de rien is its nothing, which is not the nicest way to acknowledge gratitude. De rien isnt wrong, exactly, but its not as polite as what native French speakers typically say: je vous en prie you are welcome (literally, I beg of you)je ten prie youre welcome (to a friend)cest moi qui vous remercie (or just cest moi) no, thank you (literally, it is I who thanks you)merci à   vous / toi thank you (literally, (my) thanks to you)pas de quoi, il ny a pas de quoi (informal) dont mention it (literally, no need, theres is no need)avec plaisir (South of France) my pleasure (literally, with pleasure) Example Merci, jai beaucoup aimà © ce livre. Thank you, I really liked this book​ De rien!   Youre welcome!

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