How to Say You're Welcome in French
Learn how to say you're welcome in French. 'De rien' (duh ree-AN) is the everyday reply, with 'Je vous en prie' for formal use. Pronunciation and variations.
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Quick answer
To say you're welcome in French, say 'De rien' (duh ree-AN) — literally 'of nothing,' the everyday casual reply to 'merci.' In formal situations, use 'Je vous en prie' (zhuh voo zahn PREE), and informally you can say 'Pas de souci' (pah duh soo-SEE).
De rien
/duh ree-AN/ — French
How to Say You’re Welcome in French
When someone says merci, you need a good reply. French offers a casual favorite, a polished formal phrase, and several warm alternatives — each fitting a different register.
The Everyday Reply: De Rien
De rien — pronounced duh ree-AN
It literally means “of nothing” — the idea that the favor was too small to mention. It’s the most common, friendly response to merci in casual and everyday situations.
Copy the Phrase
The French phrase for you’re welcome is De rien (duh ree-AN).
Pronunciation Notes
| Part | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| De | duh | Soft, swallowed ‘uh’ |
| rien | ree-AN | Soft guttural ‘r’ + nasal ‘an’ (the ‘n’ is nasalized) |
The two challenges: the soft French r at the start of rien, and the nasal “an” at the end — let the vowel resonate through your nose rather than fully sounding the “n.”
All the Ways to Say You’re Welcome in French
| French | Pronunciation | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| De rien | duh ree-AN | Casual, everyday — most common |
| Je vous en prie | zhuh voo zahn PREE | Formal/polite (with “vous”) |
| Je t’en prie | zhuh tahn PREE | Familiar version (with “tu”) |
| Avec plaisir | ah-vek play-ZEER | ”With pleasure” — warm |
| Pas de souci | pah duh soo-SEE | ”No worries” (casual) |
| Il n’y a pas de quoi | eel nyah pah duh KWAH | ”Don’t mention it” |
| Bienvenue | byan-vuh-NEW | ”You’re welcome” (Quebec usage) |
Formal vs. Informal
- De rien — casual and universal among friends, family and everyday exchanges.
- Je vous en prie — the formal, polished reply. Use it with strangers, in professional settings, with elders, or to sound especially courteous. Its “tu” form, Je t’en prie, is for people you address informally.
- Pas de souci — relaxed, modern, very common in speech but too casual for formal writing.
If you want one safe formal choice, Je vous en prie is the gold standard.
Regional Note: “Bienvenue” in Quebec
In France, bienvenue only means “welcome” (as in welcoming someone to a place). But in Quebec French, you’ll hear Bienvenue used to mean “you’re welcome” in response to merci — a calque of the English “you’re welcome.” It’s perfectly normal in Canada but would sound odd in Paris.
Cultural Notes
The French generally downplay favors, which is why so many replies translate to “it was nothing” — De rien, Il n’y a pas de quoi, Pas de souci. Choosing the warmer Avec plaisir (“with pleasure”) signals genuine goodwill and is increasingly popular in customer service. Match the register of the merci you receive: a quick merci deserves a quick De rien, while a heartfelt merci beaucoup invites a gracious Je vous en prie.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say you're welcome in French?
The most common reply is 'De rien' (duh ree-AN), literally 'of nothing,' used casually after someone says 'merci.' For a more formal or polite 'you're welcome,' say 'Je vous en prie' (zhuh voo zahn PREE).
How do you pronounce De rien?
'De rien' is pronounced duh ree-AN. 'De' = duh (soft, swallowed), and 'rien' = ree-AN with a nasal 'an' ending where the 'n' is nasalized rather than fully pronounced. The French 'r' is the soft guttural sound from the back of the throat.
What is the difference between De rien and Je vous en prie?
'De rien' is casual and friendly, fine among friends, family and in everyday situations. 'Je vous en prie' (zhuh voo zahn PREE) is formal and polite, used with strangers, in business, or with elders. Its informal 'tu' version is 'Je t'en prie.'
What does De rien literally mean?
'De rien' literally means 'of nothing' or 'it's nothing' — implying the favor was so small it requires no thanks. It mirrors the Spanish 'de nada' and the English 'it was nothing,' graciously playing down the effort involved.
Are there other ways to say you're welcome in French?
Yes: 'Je vous en prie' / 'Je t'en prie' (formal/familiar), 'Avec plaisir' (with pleasure, ah-vek play-ZEER), 'Pas de souci' (no worries, pah duh soo-SEE), 'Il n'y a pas de quoi' (don't mention it) and, in Quebec, 'Bienvenue' (informal you're welcome).