Merci is used in both formal and casual settings, and the spelling does not change regardless of the person you’re thanking. You can say “merci” while smiling and nodding if you want to accept something offered to you. Likewise, you can turn down something offered by saying “merci” while shaking your head.
Use these words whenever you would address someone as “ma’am” or “sir” in English. When in doubt, err on the side of politeness and allow the other person to correct you if they don’t want you to address them so formally.
The most common is merci beaucoup (MAIR-see BOW-koo), which means “thank you very much” or “thanks a lot. " Another common expression is merci mille fois or mille mercis, which means “a thousand thanks” or “thank you a thousand times. "
For example, someone might say “Merci bien, mais j’ai pas que ça à faire!” or “Thanks a lot, but I have better things to do!” When in doubt, you’re generally better off using “merci beaucoup” instead of “merci bien. "
For example, you might say “Merci pour les fleurs,” or “thank you for the flowers. "
Use this phrase in the same contexts when you would say “that’s very nice of you” or “how kind of you” in English. Just as in English, you can combine this phrase with the word merci. For example, if you were sweating on a hot day and someone offered you a cool glass of water, you might say “C’est vraiment gentil de ton part, merci!”
You also might use it conversationally in more formal settings, such as during a job interview or while speaking to law enforcement or other government authority.
Remercier is a reflexive verb. Be careful to conjugate it based on the subject of the sentence, not the person you are thanking. Use the formal reflexive pronoun vous for people who are older than you or in a position of authority. To say “I thank you,” you would say “je te remercie” (zhuh tuh ray-MAIR-see) or “je vous remercie” (zhuh voo ray-MAIR-see). To say “we thank you,” you would say “nous te remercions” (noo tuh ray-MAIR-see-ohn) or “nous vous remercions” (noo voo ray-MAIR-see-ohn).
For example, if you saw someone who had sent you flowers last week for your birthday, you might say “Je te remercie pour les fleurs,” or “I thank you for the flowers. "
For example, if you were writing a letter to an employer to apply for a job, you might conclude your letter with “je vous remercie de votre attention,” which means “I thank you for your attention. "
The word remerciements typically is used in a letter or email, when you are sending along thanks to someone. The s at the end indicates this is a plural word – thanks. Typically it’s used in the plural, not the singular. Remember to include the article “les” in front of it. For example, if you were passing along someone else’s gratitude, you might write “Tu as les remerciements de Pascal,” or “you have Pascal’s thanks. " Remerciements also can be used in the closing of a letter. For example, you might write “avec tout mes remerciements,” which means “with all my thanks” or “with all my gratitude. "
The word rien uses the French R, which can be one of the most difficult French sounds for English speakers to make correctly. The French R is a guttural sound pronounced from your throat, not the tip of your tongue as in English. You can also say “ce n’est rien” (suh nay RREE-ehn), which translates more directly to “it is nothing. "
Remember to use vous instead of toi with older people or strangers, to show respect.
This phrase can be used both in casual and more formal speech, regardless of the person you’re thanking.
If you’re unsure when to use this phrase, think about when you would say “no problem” in English. You probably wouldn’t use a phrase this casual with someone significantly older than you, or with a government official.
When deciding when to use this phrase, think about times in English when you would say something like “Oh, please! Don’t mention it!” These occasions are perfect for “je t’en prie. " You’ll be more likely to use vous with this phrase, since it’s typically more formal.
For example, if you were in a café in Montreal and thanked your server for bringing your latte, the server might respond “bienvenue. "
