How to Elevate you Manners in French
Today, we’re going to learn how to elevate your French to go beyond basic ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry’. Mastering these social graces is essential for anyone looking to navigate French culture with confidence and respect.
Practice with the cheat sheet:
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#1 Apologizing in French
In this section, we focus on apologizing beyond ‘excusez-moi’
Pardon = Sorry (especially when bumping into someone or adressing someone you don’t know)
Veuillez m’excuser = Accept my apologies
Je suis désolé = I’m sorry
Exemple :
Pardon, veuillez m’excuser, je cherche le métro, s’il vous plaît ? = Sorry, accept my apologies. I’m looking for the subway station, please.
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#2 Thanking in French
Let’s focus on thanking beyond ‘Merci Beaucoup’…
- Merci bien = Thanks a lot
- Je vous remercie/je te remercie = I thank you
When thanking for a gift or something, you say: je vous remercie pour … or je te remercie pour …
Exemple :
Je vous remercie pour la place de concert = I thank you for the concert ticket.
But when thanking for a favor or service, then use: Je vous remercie de… or Je te remercie de…
Exemple :
Je vous remercie de votre aide = I thank you for your help.
Don’t worry if you get the wrong one, French people will understand you perfectly.
#3 Acknowledging in French
- Je vous en prie/Je t’en prie = You’re welcome.
- Avec plaisir = My pleasure
- Volontiers = Gladly
- De rien = From nothing
Exemple :
- Je vous remercie de votre aide. and you reply
- Je vous en prie.
