sample welcome speech in french

12 common ways to say “welcome” in French

Bienvenue  is the most common way of saying “welcome” in French but as with most common words and expressions, there are variations. And there’s also a totally different verb to express “to welcome”: accueillir.

Let’s take a welcome dive into these words and more, starting with seven common ways to say “Welcome” in French.

The simple “Welcome” – Bienvenue

The easiest, quickest way to wish someone welcome in French is to simply say Bienvenue.  

This word can be used on its own, just like the English word “Welcome”, not to mention similar greetings in many other languages.

In fact, a good way to remember Bienvenue is the multilingual opening line of the famous song  Willkommen Bienvenue Welcome , from the musical Cabaret .

Note that when you use bienvenue on its own this way, you never have to make it agree with the number or gender of the people you’re welcoming. This is because, when you think about it, bienvenue  is being used as a noun here: essentially, a one-word welcome like this is a shortened form of something like “I wish you welcome” – a form we’ll actually look at a little later on in this article.

“Welcome to…” – Bienvenue à /au/à la/aux/chez/sur

Now that we’ve got the basics covered, you may be wondering how to say “Welcome to….” in French.

To say “Welcome to…” in French, you’ll need to pair Bienvenue with a preposition, which will most often be a form of à  (to), although there are exceptions.

As a general rule, use the preposition that’s usually goes with the person, place, or other location. For instance: Bienvenue aux délégués . (Welcome to the delegates.) Bienvenue à Lyon .  (Welcome to Lyon.) Bienvenue dans ta chambre.  (Welcome to your room.)

You’ll know which preposition to use by studying French prepositions and getting familiar with French by reading and listening to it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that since Bienvenue  is not being used as an adjective, it doesn’t have to agree in gender or number with the person/people you’re welcoming or the place/location you’re welcoming them to.

Let’s look at some examples of this way of welcoming someone, either when referring to a person or a place:

“Welcome to” a person/people

You’ll always use a form of à.

For instance:

Bienvenue à tous .   Welcome to all/Welcome, everyone.

Bienvenue à Isabelle, qui a voyagé de si loin pour être avec nous ce soir.   A big welcome to Isabelle, who traveled so far to be here with us tonight.

“Welcome to” a place or location

Use the preposition that goes with the place/location in question. This will often be a form of à , but not always.

• Bienvenue à Paris.  (Welcome to Paris.)
• Bienvenue au village.  (Welcome to the village.)
• Bienvenue sur mon site.  (Welcome to my website.)
• Bienvenue chez moi.  (Welcome to my home.)

The slightly formal welcome – Sois le bienvenu/Soyez les bienvenus

If a stand-alone “Welcome” just won’t do, one common “welcome” phrase in French is Sois le bienvenu  or Soyez les bienvenus . This be can roughly translated as “Please feel welcome.”

This expression is a bit formal, so you probably won’t use it with someone you’re very close to, unless you haven’t seen them for a long time or they’re visiting your place for the first time.

Keep in mind that because  bienvenue  is used as an adjective here, it will have to agree in number and gender with the person or people being welcomed  

The conjugation of être , which is in subjunctive tense because it’s expressing a wish or ideal , will have to agree with them in number, too.

For instance, if a group of male and female guests come to my house, I would say Soyez les bienvenus .  Bienvenu  is masculine (Yes, remember that there is a rule in French that an adjective becomes masculine if even one male is involved. Sigh….), which means the “e” we usually see tacked onto its noun form disappears.

Additionally, because there are multiple people, we add an “s” to the end.

The subjunctive verb form is in the second person plural: Soyez .

Now, what if I’m, say, welcoming a female neighbor to my home?  

I would tell her Soyez la bienvenue  if I don’t know her well or if I prefer to address her formally ( vous ). But if we’re friendly or the same age, or if she’s a teenager or child, I’d say Sois la bienvenue . (Sois is the subjunctive conjugation used with the informal second-person singular pronoun tu .)

Also, as you may have noticed, bienvenue here has an “e” at the end, since my guest is a female.

How about you give it a try? How would you greet a male friend?  That’s right: Sois le bienvenu .

This may seem complicated, but I promise that these phrases are used so often that you’ll get used to them.

And bonus good news: As long as you get the verb right, when you’re saying this phrase, no one will really hear the difference between bienvenu, bienvenus, bienvenue, or bienvenues .  

The formal welcome – souhaiter la bienvenue à quelqu’un

If you want to welcome someone in a formal way, you’ll probably opt for the expression souhaiter la bienvenue à  quelqu’un  (to bid someone welcome).

This phrase is usually used with reflexive pronouns: a subject + an object + the appropriately conjugated form of the verb souhaiter  + la bienvenue .

Note that since bienvenue  is used as a noun, not an adjective, it won’t change to agree with the number or gender of the person/people being welcomed.

Here are some examples:

• Je vous souhaite la bienvenue .  (I bid you welcome.). Since the pronoun vous is used here, I’m either greeting multiple people or someone I’m addressing formally.
• Je te souhaites la bienvenue .  (I bid you welcome.) Since the pronoun tu is used here, I’m greeting someone I know or someone who would be addressed in a less formal way.
• Nous vous souhaitons la bienvenue .  (We bid you welcome.)
• Nous souhaitons la bienvenue à tous nos invités.  (We bid welcome to all of our guests.)
• Les hôtes m’ont souhaité la bienvenue.  (The hosts (of a bed and breakfast or other rental) bade me welcome).

“You are welcome here” – ê tre le/la/les bienvenu(e)(s)

To express the phrase “You are welcome here” in French, you can say Tu es le bienvenu/Tu es la bienvenue  or Vous êtes les bienvenu(e)s .

The verb tense here is in the present simple tense. The reason is that this statement is a fact; the speaker is glad you’re there (or at least they’re pretending to be…).

Note that in this case, bienvenue  is an adjective, so it must agree in gender and number with the person or people who are welcome.

For example, you would say Tu es le bienvenu  to a male guest you’d address with the informal pronoun tu . For a female guest you’d use tu with, you’d say Tu es la bienvenue .

You would say Vous êtes les bienvenus  for a group of males or males and females together. You would say Vous êtes le bienvenu for a male guest you’d address with the formal pronoun vous. For a female guest you’d address with vous , you’d say -you guessed it – Vous êtes la bienvenue .

More rarely, this expression can be used with different pronouns – for instance, Ils m’ont dit que j’ é tais la bienvenue. (They told me I was welcome.)

The “Make yourself at home” welcome – Fais comme chez toi/Faites comme chez vous

There are many ways to show someone they’re welcome without using the word “welcome”. Telling someone Fais comme chez toi  or Faites comme chez vous  is one of the most common ways to do that in French.

The phrase translates to “Act as you would at your own home”, and expresses a desire for the person to feel at ease.

This phrase is fairly informal and is most often used with “you” pronouns, but you may see it used with other pronouns as well, although it would usually not be in an imperative form. For instance: Il m’a dit de faire comme chez moi (He told me to make myself at home.)

The “Make yourself comfortable” welcome – Installe-toi/Installez-vous

The informal phrase installe toi/installez-vous is another one where the exact word “welcome” isn’t there, but the meaning is. It means “Settle yourself in” and is a common way to express “Make yourself comfortable” in French.

Ex: Salut Sophie, installe-toi, je serai là dans un instant !  (Hi Sophie, come in and make yourself comfortable, I’ll be there in a minute!)

How do you say “Welcome back” in French?

Interestingly, there’s no exact translation for “Welcome back” in French.

Instead, you would express your happiness at seeing the person again. The most common phrases you’ll see or hear for this are:

Content de te revoir./Heureux de te revoir.

Of course, as you may have guessed, there are two factors that can make these phrases vary a bit:

• The adjective ( content  or heureux ) has to agree with the subject (i.e. the person speaking).
• You have to choose whether to use te or vous .

So, you could end up saying one of the following:

• Content de te revoir/Contente de te revoir/Contents de te revoir/Contentes de te revoir/Content de vous revoir/Contente de vous revoir/Contents de vous revoir/Contentes de vous revoir
• Heureux de te revoir/Heureuse de te revoir/Heureuses de te revoir/Hereux de vous revoir/Hereuse de vous revoir/Heureuses de vous revoir  

Luckily, in spoken French, the plural forms won’t sound different from the singular ones.

You can also make this greeting  a bit more formal or emphasized by adding the subject pronoun. For instance: Je suis content de te revoir  vs Content de te revoir .

Aside from making it more formal, adding the subject pronoun can also make the phrase translate to: “I’m/We’re (so) glad to see you.”

Not having an exact translation for “Welcome back” in French can be daunting for us Anglophones. I say this from experience. But over time, you’ll get used to it, although to be honest, every now and then you may still find  yourself hesitating about welcoming someone back. When that’s the case, just speak your heart and say how you feel about seeing them again. Or just greet them with Bonjour  and their name.

Saying “Welcome back to school in French”

Now that you know that there is no exact  translation for “Welcome back” in French, you can imagine that it’s a bit complicated when it comes to welcoming someone back to a particular place or event. But there is one type of situation that’s so common that there is a phrase that corresponds to it.

To say “Welcome back to school” in French, you would say Bonne rentr é e !   

This can also mean “Good luck this school year/Happy back-to-school”.  But in context, it will work, and if you think about it, all of these things are essentially expressing the same sentiment in a way: you want the student to feel welcome and have a good school year.

The verb “to welcome” in French – accueillir

Accueillir  means “to welcome” in French.

Yes, unfortunately, the single-word verb form of “welcome” in French looks nothing like bienvenue .  

Unlike Bienvenue, accueillir  and its noun form, accueil , can’t be used on their own to mean “Welcome”.

Accueillir is always used in a sentence or as part of an expression (ex: réserver un bon accueil à quelqu’un  (to be preparing a warm welcome for someone)).

Elle nous a accueilli les larmes aux yeux.   She welcomed us with tears of joy in her eyes.

On prépare la chambre d’amis pour accueillir mes beaux-parents. We’re preparing the guest room so that we can welcome/host my in-laws.

Although accueillir is a perfectly good verb, the other “welcome” expressions on this list tend to be more common.

What does accueil mean?

You’ll probably encounter accueillir  most commonly in its noun form, (un) accueil .

Accueil can mean several things, including, most commonly:

• A welcome : Merci pour votre accueil. (Thanks for your warm welcome.)
• The reception desk/front desk : Vous pouvez demander des informations à l’accueil.  (You can ask for information at the front desk)

When used with another word, accueil  can have a number of additional meanings. These include:

• une page d’accueil  – homepage (main page on a website)
• une famille d’accueil – either a foster family or a host family for exchange students, depending on the context.

You can check out this page for additional meanings and phrases with accueillir  and accueil .   

Other expressions with “welcome” in French

In English, there are expressions with “welcome” that don’t exactly mean a greeting. Here’s how to say two of the most common in French:

You’re welcome to – Nous vous invitons à…

There are several ways to express that someone is welcome to do or try something in French. The most common polite form of this is Nous vous invitons à….  

Literally translated, this means “We invite you to…” but in context, it means, “We humbly propose…” or “You’re welcome to….”

Ex: Nous vous invitons à  essayer le nouveau robot.  (You’re welcome to try out the new robot.)

You’ll most commonly see this phrase as Nous vous invitons à …., often on signage or in formal or professional correspondance.

But depending on the context, it can be used with other pronouns. For instance, Mesdames et messieurs, je vous invite à  vous asseoir. Le d î ner sera bient ô t servi.  (Ladies and gentlemen, you are welcome to sit down/please be seated. Dinner will be served soon.)

A longer, less formal way to express “You’re welcome to” is simply to tell someone they can do something ( using the verb pouvoir ), often adding si vous voulez/si tu veux or si tu voudrais  at the end of the phrase to show even more of an invitation/suggestion.

For instance: Vous pouvez essayer le nouveau robot si vous voulez.  (You can try out the new robot if you like.)

To be welcome (news, an event, etc.) – ê tre le/la/les bienvenu(e)(s)

To say that something is welcome (wanted) in French, you would use bienvenue  in its adjective form, preceded by le , la , or les . This means that in this case, bienvenu(e)(s)  must agree with the subject.

Vos suggestions sont les bienvenues .   We welcome your suggestions.

Nous avons trop de souris chez nous ! Un chat serait le bienvenu !   We have too many mice in our house! A cat would be welcome!

You can find some other ways to say “welcome” in French, as well as additional uses and expressions with bienvenue  and accueillir / accueil  on this helpful webpage. The WordReference English-French entry for “welcome” is also a good source for more information .

How do you say “You’re welcome” in French?

You may have opened this article thinking it was about another kind of “welcome” in French – you’re welcome, as in the response to  M erci . We’ve got an entire separate article about the many ways to say “You’re welcome” in French .   

I hope this article on how to say “Welcome” in French was helpful. If that was the case, Bienvenue dans un monde o ù  tu connais tout sur les mots bienvenue et accueillir ! (Welcome to a world where you know everything about the words bienvenue and accueillir !

• What are the best French learning apps in 2024?
• The 16 best websites and apps for French conversation practice
• Duolingo French review: The good, the bad and the ugly

Alysa Salzberg

Alysa Salzberg is an American writer, worrier, teacher, and cookie enthusiast who has lived in Paris, France, for more than a decade. She has taught English and French for more than ten years, most notably as an assistante de langue vivante for L'Education Nationale. She recently published her first novel, Hearts at Dawn , a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling that takes place during the 1870 Siege of Paris. You can read about her adventures here , or feel free to stop by her website .

Bienvenue Meaning & Pronunciation – Welcome in French

By: Author David Issokson

Posted on Published: May 30, 2022  - Last updated: February 10, 2024

In French, the word for “welcome” is “bienvenue” (pronunciation bjɛ̃vəny). The word has three syllables: Bien-vuh-nu and translates literally to “come well”. In this post, we will discover the various ways to say welcome in French as well as many applicable verbs, phrases and expressions.

How to say welcome in French

Before we go any further, let’s take a close look at the pronunciation of bienvenue . As mentioned, there are three syllables. The -n in bien is silent. The second syllable “ve” is pronounced like “vuh”. The last syllable “nue” has an -u sound as in the word “tu” (you familiar).

Different ways to say “welcome” in French

In French, there isn’t just one single way to say “ welcome “. In the following section we’ll look at several common expressions.

Bienvenue !

When greeting an individual person or a group of people you can simply say, “Bienvenue !” , which equates to “Welcome!”. Here’s an example sentence:

Bienvenue ! Prenez une chaise et asseyez-vous !

Welcome! Take a chair and have a seat!

Bienvenue à, au, à la, aux, chez, en

The word “bienvenue” can be followed by several prepositions including: à, au, à la, aux and en (all meaning to or at), with chez (meaning “to the home of”) or en (meaning to or in). Here are some example sentences:

Bienvenue en France !

Welcome to France!

Bienvenue au Canada !

Welcome to Canada!

Bienvenue chez nous !

Welcome to our home!

Bienvenue à tous !

The expression, “Bienvenue à tous !” is used for welcoming a group of people and translates literally to “Welcome to all!”. This expression can be used to welcome people to a party, conference, class, etc. Here’s an example sentence:

Bienvenue à tous ! La classe va commencer dans cinq minutes.

Welcome to all! The class will start in five minutes!

Être le bienvenu or la bienvenue

Another slightly more formal way to welcome somebody is “être le bienvenu” and “être la bienvenue” , which translate loosely to “to be the welcomed person”. The difference between “le bienvenu” and “la bienvenue” depends on the gender of the person being welcomed.

The expression, “Soyez les bienvenues !” is a way of saying, “Welcome!” and translates literally to “Be welcome!”. This is the imperative (command) from of the verb être (to be). This page on our site offers an entire lesson on the conjugations of être .

Soyez les bienvenus ! On commence le dîner dans dix minutes.

Welcome! We’ll start dinner in ten minutes!

Souhaiter la bienvenue

The expression “souhaiter la bienvenue” means “to welcome” and translates literally to “to wish the welcome”. Here’s an example of how to use this expression.

• Je suis la pour vous souhaiter la bienvenue. I’m here to welcome you.
• Je voudrais souhaiter la bienvenue à mes amis. I’d like to welcome my friends.

Faire se sentir quelqu’un le (la) bienvenu(e)

The expression, “faire sentir quelqu’un le/la bienvenu(e)” can translate to both “to make somebody feel welcome” or simply “to make somebody feel at home”.

• Ma femme est une très bonne hôtesse. Elle fait sentir l’invite le bienvenu. My wife is a great host. She makes the guest feel welcomed.

Accueillir and faire bon accueil à quelqu’un

There are two verbs which can be used to mean “to welcome” somebody. The first is accueillir , which translates both to “to host” and “to welcome”.

The second is the expression, “faire bon acceuil à quelqu’un” , which translates literally to “to do good welcome to somebody” or more loosely “to welcome somebody well”.

Here are some example sentences:

• Nous accueillons Marie à la conférence. We welcomed Marie to the conference.
• Nous faisons bon accueil à Marie. We welcome Marie.

Recevoir quelqu’un

The expression, “recevoir quelqu’un” means “to welcome somebody” but translates literally to “to receive somebody”. Here’s an example:

• Nous recevons des invités à la maison ce soir. We’re welcoming guests to the house tonight.

Réserver un accueil chaleureux à quelqu’un

The expression “Réserver un accueil chaleureux à quelqu’un” translates to “to give somebody a warm welcome”. For example:

• Nous réserver un accueil chaleureux à nos invités. We give a warm welcome to our guests.

Fais comme chez toi / faites comme chez vous

The expression, “Faites comme chez vous” (or “fais comme chez toi” in the informal form) translates to “make yourself at home”. The French use this expression when welcoming a guest or group of guests into their homes.

• Faites comme chez vous ! Ne soyez pas timide ! Make yourself at home! Don’t be shy!

S’imposer and s’incruster

The two reflexive verbs, “s’imposer” and “s’incruster” both mean “to over stay one’s welcome”. Both of these verbs are reflexive. This page on our site covers reflexive verbs in detail. Here are two example sentences:

• On ne veut pas s’imposer. On s’en va dans cinq minutes. We don’t want to overstay our welcome. We’ll leave in five minutes.
• Oh là là, Martin s’incruste. Il devrait partir ! Oh, Martin is overstaying his welcome. He should leave!

Bienvenue in popular culture

In 2008, a top grossing French movie called “ Bienvenue Chez les Ch’tis “ was released. The movie is about a postal worker from the south who’s assigned to work in the rainy North of France. The word “bienvenue” is in the movies title, which translates to “Welcome to the Ch’tis”. “Ch’tis” is a term used to refer to people from the very north of France.

Congratulations! You now know how to say “welcome” in French. Now check out our lesson covering various ways of how to say “ you’re welcome “.

Discover more:

• Goodbye in French
• Ways of saying “hello” in French
• Good morning in French
• Good night in French

Sharing is caring!

Affiliate disclosure: Below you will find affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking the link, we will receive a small commission. To learn more please visit our full disclosure page . Merci!

Read our full review of À Moi Paris and find out why we love it so much!

Read our full review of French Verb Drills and find out why we recommend this course!

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

See all posts by David Issokson

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• World Languages
• French Phrases

How to Say “You’re Welcome” in French

Last Updated: October 11, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 452,401 times. Learn more...

Maybe you already know that "merci" (mair-see) means "thank you" in French . But apart from thanking others, you should also know how to respond when someone says "merci" to you. In most informal situations, you can simply say "de rien" (duh ree-ehn). However, there are many other ways to say "you're welcome" in French , depending on where you're saying it and who you're saying it to.

Ways to Say “You’re Welcome”

Speaking Formally

• Also use this phrase when you're speaking to an adult who is older than you or in a position of authority.
• If you're traveling to France and can only learn one way to say "you're welcome" in French, this is probably the best one to choose. Although you may be overly formal in some situations, you never run the risk of offending anyone for being too casual if you use this phrase.

Pronunciation Tip: Although you wouldn't normally pronounce the "s" at the end of "vous," you do if it comes immediately before a word that starts with a vowel. The two words flow together to form what the French call a liaison .

• For example, if you and a coworker or colleague you don't know very well have just finished working on a project together and they say "merci," you might respond "merci à vous."
• Since "vous" is used in this phrase as well, it's appropriate in situations where you don't know the person who's thanking you, they're much older than you, or they're in a position of authority over you.

• Often, this phrase is shortened to simply "c'est moi." The rest of the phrase is understood by French speakers. The shortened form is typically used in more casual situations, such as if you're talking to someone you don't know but who is around the same age as you.

Responding to Thanks Informally

• For example, if you held the door for a person behind you as you were entering a shop and they said "merci," you might say "de rien."
• This is considered an informal phrase and should never be used in formal situations.

• This phrase is also often shortened. You may hear "n'y a pas de quoi," "yah pas de quoi," or simply "pas de quoi."

• This phrase is informal but not casual. Use it when you feel like the situation is a bit too serious for "de rien" or a similar phrase.

Pronunciation Tip: The word "en" is an example of a nasal vowel. The "ng" in the pronunciation guide reminds you to say this word through your nose rather than through your mouth, similar to how you might say "song" in English.

• In the same situation, you could also say "c'est moi qui te remercie" (say mwah kee teh reh-mair-see) or simply "c'est moi."

• This phrase is used similar to the way you might say "no worries" in English, and is considered slang by some French people, particularly those who are older. Only use it in the most informal of situations.

Following Local Customs

• This phrase isn't used in the same way in other regions of France. However, in the south, you'll often hear it used as an alternative to "de rien." Like "de rien," it's considered casual speech and should only be used with people you know well.

• In Canada, this can be used in almost any context. However, you'd still want to go with a more formal French "je vous en prie" if you were speaking to someone significantly older than you or in a position of authority.

Tip: French Canadians may also use "ça me fait plaisir" (sah meh fay play-zihr), which means "my pleasure."

• If you're responding to thanks from a close friend, you might instead say "s'il te plaît." But, again, don't use this phrase outside of Belgium. You won't be understood.

• Outside Switzerland, it's unlikely anyone would understand what you meant if you said this in response to "merci."

Community Q&A

• The pronunciation guides in this article are only approximations designed to allow a native English speaker to come close to the actual French pronunciations . For the best results, listen to these words and phrases spoken by a native French speaker and try to mimic them. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://blog.collinsdictionary.com/language-learners/learning-french/learnng-french-common-courtesies/
• ↑ https://www.frenchplanations.com/youre-welcome-in-french/
• ↑ https://www.lawlessfrench.com/expressions/de-rien/

About This Article

To say "You're welcome" in French, respond with "Je t'en prie" when someone says "Thank you." Alternatively, if someone thanks you for holding open a door for them or something similar, say "De rien," which means "No need for thanks." In an informal setting with friends or family, use "Il n'y a pas quoi" when someone thanks you. Finally, when you're thanked by a formal acquaintance or a stranger, answer with "Je vous en prie," which means "Don't mention it." To learn how to say "You're welcome" when giving presents, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Duke De Fesi

Nov 29, 2022

Did this article help you?

Aug 15, 2016

Aug 5, 2016

Apr 27, 2017

Dec 10, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

How to give an oral presentation in French

by Lingoda Team

Published on November 18, 2016 / Updated on November 9, 2022

Eventually in life, the time will come when you will have to present in front of a group. If you are giving a speech in a foreign language like after learning French, it can be very challenging since it often adds extra insecurity to the mix. We will give you some tips on how to give an oral presentation in French:

Preparation is key. In order to succeed in your presentation, know your topic well. You will be the expert in the classroom and realizing this will boost your self-confidence and keep your nerves under control. Remember to use technology to your advantage, visual aids (maps, photos, film clips, graphs, diagrams, and charts) can enhance a presentation, but don’t rely completely on them since it might be distracting for your audience.

Pay attention to your posture, stand straight and don’t rock back and forth on your heels, or do anything that might distract from your content. Speak in a clear, audible voice, loud enough to be clearly heard in the back row.  Never, ever mumble and be confident about your research and content.

Learn languages at your pace

Tips to give an oral presentation in french.

• Structure and order . France is not an exception. Let the audience know at the start how your presentation will be structured. A brief outline will prepare them for what you are about to say.
• It’s not what you say but how you say it.  This may sound like a cliché, but it’s a general rule for life. Understand that you will probably be nervous, accept it and move on. Deep breaths will help control the speed of your speech and will give the impression that you are more confident in what you are saying. Avoid having spicy food or caffeine drinks right before and make sure your breathing pattern is normal.
• Talk! don’t read . Nobody enjoys seeing a speaker burying his or her face in a script, reading stiffly from a piece of paper. Try to talk from notes, or, if you use a written-out text, try to look down at it only occasionally. In a speech, it is crucial to be able to transmit the ideas and concepts that you have been preparing and working for so hard, so don’t worry too much about the words.
• Make eye   contact  with people seated in all parts of the room, another fundamental aspect of public speaking. Don’t be afraid of using your hands to emphasize your ideas. Sharing space with the audience can also communicate your interest in sharing your results with them, so don’t be afraid of moving around the stage to help you reach out to every corner of the room, and also cover up any nervousness you may be experiencing.
• Don’t be afraid of questions and interruptions.  Actually, this is one of the best things that can happen, because it shows that someone in the audience has engaged with what you’re saying, and, if you have the time to offer a brief response, it can actually lead to genuine progress on the point you were making. Plus, two-way conversation is always a tension-reducer.
• Always try to make an impact with your audience.  Something that they’ll remember. Finishing strong can be a good way to achieve that. Always be sure to have a compelling conclusion to your presentation in which you highlight and summarize the points you made to your audience.

Useful vocabulary for presenting in French

Introduction, expressing opinion, other expressions, ending phrases, learn french with lingoda.

You are looking for topic ideas for your French presentation? Extend your vocabulary with Lingoda! With us, you can learn French from fully qualified teachers, who will provide you with a well-rounded education, focusing not just on speech, but on reading, writing and listening as well.

With that said, one of the key benefits of learning through Lingoda is that all of our teachers are native speakers. This means that as a French language student, you will get to hear authentic French, as it is really  spoken around the world , which will prove to be beneficial when the time comes to give presentations of your own.

Lingoda’s courses offer learners complete flexibility and students can schedule as many or as few classes as they like, depending on their goals and lifestyle. The majority of classes take place in virtual classrooms, with a small number of students, although private one-to-one lessons are also available.

All of our courses are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is widely considered to be the gold standard of language frameworks. As students progress, they can also earn  official French certificates , which enjoy recognition from institutions worldwide.

Lingoda Team

This article was produced by one of the in-house Lingoda writers.

Mar 25, 2024

Is French difficult to learn?

So, you want to learn French but you’re wondering if it’s easy to learn. French can be a challenge, but...

How to say ‘I don’t understand’ in French

When you start learning French, you won’t understand every word of conversation. That’s perfectly normal, but it’s also important to...

Mar 06, 2024

A guide to dating in Switzerland

Dating is never easy, but it can be especially fraught if you’re looking for love in a foreign country. Such...

Level up your language skills with Lingoda. Take our placement test for free and get started.

How to Say “Welcome” in French: Formal and Informal Ways

Welcome! If you’ve been curious about how to say “welcome” in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to greet someone in French. We’ll cover various regional variations as well, although they may not be as commonly used. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of French greetings!

Formal Ways to Say “Welcome” in French

When it comes to formal greetings, French offers a variety of expressions that can be used depending on the context and the level of formality required. Here are some phrases commonly used in formal settings:

• Bienvenue – This is the standard and most widely used way to say “welcome” in French. It is appropriate in formal situations and will suit most circumstances.
• Soyez les bienvenus/Soyez les bienvenues – This more elaborate variation of “bienvenue” is used when welcoming a group or when addressing individuals in a formal setting. The ending of the word changes depending on the gender and number of people being welcomed.
• Je vous souhaite la bienvenue – This translates to “I wish you welcome” and is a polite and respectful way to welcome someone.
• Accueillir – This is the verb form of “welcome” in French. It can be used in a formal context to express a warm reception, such as “Nous sommes heureux de vous accueillir” (We are happy to welcome you).

Informal Ways to Say “Welcome” in French

For more casual or familiar situations, French provides a different set of expressions. These can be used among friends, family, or in relaxed environments:

• Bienvenue chez nous – This means “welcome to our home” and is commonly used to greet guests or friends who are visiting.
• Bienvenue à bord – Literally meaning “welcome aboard,” this phrase is often used in informal settings to welcome someone onto a boat, plane, or any other means of transportation.
• Entre, vous êtes chez vous – This translates to “Come in, make yourself at home” and is a warm way to invite someone into your space.
• Fais comme chez toi/Faites comme chez vous – These phrases mean “Make yourself at home” and are typically used among close friends or family to make guests feel comfortable and relaxed.

Regional Variations

French is spoken in various regions around the world, each with unique customs and dialects. While the phrases mentioned above are universally understood, certain regions may have their own specific ways to say “welcome.” Here are a couple of examples:

Bienvenu/Bienvenue chez nous – This is a common variation used in Quebec, the French-speaking province of Canada. The word “chez nous” means “at our place,” giving it a local touch.

Tips for Using French Greetings

Now that you know how to say “welcome” in French, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Use appropriate gestures : When welcoming someone, it is customary in France to shake hands, kiss on the cheek (starting with the left cheek), or give a slight nod of the head, depending on the level of familiarity and cultural context.
• Match the formality of the occasion : Choose your greeting based on the level of formality required. It’s important to consider the setting and the people you are welcoming.
• Practice pronunciation : French pronunciation can be challenging, so take some time to practice the greetings to ensure a warm and accurate delivery.
• Be mindful of gender and number : In French, certain greetings and phrases change depending on the gender and number of people being welcomed. Pay attention to these variations to ensure your greeting is correct.

Examples in Context

Let’s see how these greetings can be used in context:

Formal Example: A hotel receptionist: Bonjour! Je vous souhaite la bienvenue à notre hôtel. Translation: Hello! I wish you welcome to our hotel.

Informal Example: A friend welcoming a guest to their home: Salut! Bienvenue chez nous. Fais comme chez toi! Translation: Hi! Welcome to our place. Make yourself at home!

Congratulations! You have now learned how to say “welcome” in French. Remember, “bienvenue” is the most commonly used term, suitable for both formal and informal situations. However, feel free to explore other phrases according to the context and level of familiarity. Use these greetings with appropriate gestures and always consider the formality of the occasion. Practice pronunciation and enjoy the warm reception you’ll receive when using these French greetings. Bonne chance!

Related Posts

Welcome to Argentina: How to Say "Welcome" in Different Ways

Welcome to Argentina! As you embark on your journey to this beautiful South American country, one of the best ways to connect with the locals is by learning how to say "welcome" in their language. In this guide, we will explore various ways to express a warm welcome in both formal and informal settings, while also providing tips, examples, and even some regional variations to enhance your cultural experience.

Welcome to the Comprehensive Guide on Saying "Welcome" in Akan Language

Welcome! If you are looking to learn how to say "welcome" in the Akan language, you have come to the right place. Akan, also known as Twi, is a widely spoken language in Ghana, specifically in the Ashanti region. With its rich cultural heritage, knowing how to greet someone in the Akan language can be a great way to connect with the people of Ghana on a deeper level. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say "welcome" in Akan and provide you with useful tips and examples along the way. Let's get started!

A Warm Welcome: How to Say "Welcome" in Eora Language

Welcome! In this guide, we will delve into the charming language of Eora, exploring how to express the sentiment of "welcome" in various contexts and regional variations. Whether you're traveling to Eora-speaking regions or simply interested in expanding your linguistic horizons, these phrases will help you establish a warm connection with the local community.

Welcome to Greece: How to Say "Welcome" in Greek

Welcome to the beautiful country of Greece! As you embark on your journey through this ancient land, it's always a nice gesture to greet the locals in their own language. In this guide, we will explore the various ways to say "welcome" in Greek, both formally and informally. Whether you're traveling to Athens, Thessaloniki, or any other region in Greece, these expressions will surely come in handy. So, let's dive in and learn how to say "welcome" like a true Greek!

Welcome to Mongolia: How to Say Welcome in Mongolian

Welcome to the enchanting land of Mongolia, where warm hospitality is deeply ingrained in the culture. As you embark on your journey through the vast steppes, ancient traditions, and nomadic heritage, it's essential to learn how to say "welcome" in Mongolian. This guide will help you navigate the various ways to express hospitality, including formal and informal greetings. Whether you're exploring bustling Ulaanbaatar or immersing yourself in the country's breathtaking natural landscapes, knowing how to welcome others in Mongolian will enhance your cultural experience and foster meaningful connections.

Welcome in Mozambique: Formal and Informal Ways to Say "Welcome"

When visiting Mozambique, extending a warm welcome is an essential part of the country's culture. Whether you're greeting friends, colleagues, or strangers, knowing how to say "welcome" can help you create a positive and friendly atmosphere. In this guide, we'll explore both formal and informal ways to say "welcome" in Mozambique, providing you with useful tips, examples, and regional variations if applicable.

Welcome to Brazil: How to Say "Welcome" in Different Ways

Welcome to the vibrant and diverse country of Brazil! As you embark on your journey through this beautiful land, one of the best ways to connect with the locals is by greeting them in their native language. Brazilian people are known for their warm and friendly nature, so when you say "welcome" in Portuguese, the official language of Brazil, you are sure to receive a heartfelt response. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say "welcome" in Brazil, including formal and informal expressions. So, let's dive in and learn how to greet people like a local!

Welcome to Croatia: A Guide on How to Say "Welcome"

When visiting Croatia, it's always nice to be able to greet others with a warm "welcome." Whether you're greeting locals, fellow travelers, or friends you're meeting in Croatia, knowing how to say "welcome" will undoubtedly leave a positive first impression. In this guide, we'll explore formal and informal ways to say "welcome to Croatia," providing tips, examples, and even regional variations to help you navigate the Croatian language. So, let's dive in!

Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Arabic Cantonese Chinese Dutch English Farsi Filipino French German Greek Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Irish Italian Japan Japanese Korean Latin Mandarin Mexican Navajo Norwegian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Sanskrit Sign Language Spanish Swahili Swedish Tagalog Tamil Thai Turkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese

• Privacy Policy

Frenchlanguagebasics 🇫🇷

Learn French the fast and easy way!

10 Common French phrases: How to structure a speech or talk

Whether you’re giving a presentation or simply introducing yourself to a group of people, knowing how to structure a speech or talk in French can be a valuable skill.

In this lesson, we’ll go over 10 common French phrases for structuring a speech or talk.

Bonjour à tous. (Hello, everyone.)

This phrase is used to begin a speech or talk, and to greet the audience.

Je vais parler de ___. (I’m going to talk about ___.)

This phrase is used to introduce the topic or theme of the speech or talk.

Tout d’abord, je vais ___ . (First, I’m going to ___ .)

This phrase is used to introduce the first point or topic of the speech or talk.

Ensuite, je vais ___ . (Next, I’m going to ___ .)

This phrase is used to introduce the second point or topic of the speech or talk.

Après cela, je vais ___ . (After that, I’m going to ___ .)

This phrase is used to introduce the third point or topic of the speech or talk.

Pour résumer, j’ai parlé de ___. (To summarize, I talked about ___.)

This phrase is used to summarize the main points or topics covered in the speech or talk.

En conclusion, ___. (In conclusion, ___ .)

This phrase is used to wrap up the speech or talk, and to give a final statement or message.

Merci de votre attention. (Thank you for your attention.)

This phrase is used to express gratitude to the audience for listening.

Avez-vous des questions ? (Do you have any questions?)

This phrase is used to invite the audience to ask questions or seek clarification.

Je suis à votre disposition pour répondre à vos questions. (I’m available to answer your questions.)

This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker is willing and available to answer any questions or concerns the audience may have.

Learning these common French phrases for structuring a speech or talk will help you to communicate more effectively in formal settings.

Additionally, it is helpful to learn basic French vocabulary and grammar rules to build your language skills. With practice and persistence, you’ll soon be able to deliver speeches and talks with ease in French.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

Understand Spoken French With 100 Audio Pronunciation Examples

In this free lesson, I’ll help you understand the difference between classic “textbook” French and French like it’s spoken in France today. I’ve recorded over 100 French examples for you: please press on the audio player to hear the audio.

Most French students have learned to speak French like they would write in French. For a long time, French textbooks were the main way to learn French, and French literature was the way to practice what you had learned.

Nowadays, most French learning methods feature audio. But the vast majority still uses a very classic way of speaking French and only features overly enunciated French pronunciation.

Unfortunately, the spoken French taught to foreigners is a fiction. It’s not the way we speak French today, and that’s why so many students cannot understand French people when they speak French.

First, I’d like to define a bit more what spoken French is.

Spoken French vs Classic French Pronunciation

Let’s take an example: here are 3 ways to pronounce “I don’t know” in French.

Je ne sais pas –> [jeun saypa]—–>[shaypa]

Let’s analyse the various French pronunciations.

• Je ne sais pas . First I said the phrase in an overly enunciated way, pronouncing every single word the way we would write. This is the way most French teaching method would teach you to say it. However, that’s not how most French people would pronounce it today.
• [jeun saypa] Then I used a spoken French pronunciation, and glided the je and the ne together. This is what I call “a medium gliding” – it’s still quite enunciated and a tad formal, but it’s common.
• [shaypa] Then I said it the way I would probably say it most of the time when I speak. The je becomes kind of a sh sound and the ne totally disappears. This is a very common casual French pronunciation , which students seldom learn.

What Affects the Way People Speak French?

There’s no ‘universal’ way to speak French. The same way spoken English differs from one person to the other, one region to another, the way the French speak French varies a lot.

Many factors will affect the way people speak French:

• the context of the conversation (business, casual, formal, intellectual…),
• geography (country, regional accents – for example in the South of France, French people still pronounce the “e” quite distinctly.)
• age : young people tend to apply more glidings and use more slang when they speak than adults.
• whether you are trying to sound smart or cooooool…

Why is spoken French seldom taught in French classrooms?

Many teachers of French as a second language complain that their – often imposed – curriculum concentrates too much on written French. Unfortunately, French tests are still very much based on grammar and French verb conjugations, and these are mostly drilled in written form.

When they try to complement their French textbook with audio, it’s either audio made for students featuring an overly enunciated French, classic sentence structure and vocabulary, or authentic French material which is usually way too complicated to understand for their beginner/ intermediate students.

If only someone had developed a French learning audio method recorded in both classic and modern French enunciation … But I digress…

Spoken English versus Spoken French

Let me reassure you: we have exactly the same problem in France with the English language. In our English language classrooms, we learn to write I am not going to . And most French people learn to say [I-am-not-going-to] when any English speaker would say [I’m not goin’ to] …

Nothing prepares French people for extreme glidings such as [I ain’t gonna] but even if a foreigner may not want or need to speak this way, this extremely glided pronunciation is common in Hollywood movies and series. So a French speaker learning English should learn to understand it.

An Important difference

There’s an important difference between French and English : in English, people tend to speak the same way in every context. In a formal context, you may use a more upscale vocabulary, but your pronunciation would more or less remain the same whether you’re speaking at a business meeting or at home with your friends.

A French person doesn’t always pronounce words exactly the same way. We usually use a more glided pronunciation in a relaxed context, like saying [shaypa] , and enunciate more in a more formal context, and say [jeun saypa] .

What French pronunciation should I use?

The French pronunciation you choose should depend a lot on how you speak in English… Are you more classic or modern? What’s your age? As I said above, younger people tend to apply stronger glidings.

In general, I suggest students use moderate glidings. If a beginner or intermediate French student, who may not yet have a perfect French accent , was to use very strong French glidings, it may sound quite weird.

However, it’s important that you understand both modern French and traditional French pronunciation. This is why my French learning method  is recorded at several speeds and levels of enunciation.

Now let me explain some common spoken French glidings.

This is not an easy lesson to write, because French pronunciation evolves all the time, and there are no rules per se. So I’m going you some examples, with audio recordings. For more example of enunciated French versus spoken French pronunciation, I invite you to sample my French phrasebook : the sentences are recorded twice so you learn both the classic and modern French pronunciation.

First let’s see what happens to pronouns and the negative in everyday spoken French.

Je, Tu, Il(s), Elle(s) Spoken French Pronunciation

Please press on the audio player to hear my audio recordings.

• Je becomes kind of a “sh” sound. Enunciated French: Je suis (I am) Spoken French: shui Enunciated French: Je parle (I am speaking) Spoken French: shparl
• Tu becomes t in front of a vowel Enunciated French: Tu es d’accord ? (do you agree?) Spoken French: té dacor ? Enunciated French: Tu imagines (you imagine) Spoken French: timajin
• Il, elle (singular), ils and elles (plural) become i and è + a consonant (not a vowel) This is quite an extreme gliding and I don’t encourage you to do it, but you need to understand it. Enunciated French: Elle regarde (she’s watching) Spoken French: èrgard Enunciated French: Ils parlent (they’re speaking) Spoken French: iparl

Is the Ne Pronounced in Spoken French?

In spoken French, the way we pronounce the written “ne” of the French negative form is really affected. We either glide it, or it totally disappears.

Pronouncing the “ne” – medium way.

If someone speak in a natural, but quite enunciated way in French, the “ne” of the negative will glide with “je, tu, nous and vous”.

• Enunciated French: Je ne parle pas Spoken French: jeun parlpa
• Enunciated French: Tu ne parles pas Spoken French: tun parlpa
• Enunciated French: Nous ne parlons pas Spoken French: noon parlonpa
• Enunciated French: Vous ne parlez pas Spoken French: voon parlépa

This is a medium gliding. Actually in most of France nowadays, it would be extremely rare to pronounce the ne without gliding it a bit (yet as I said above, there are different French regional accents ).

So, I strongly encourage you to apply this medium gliding.

Would you like more examples? Check out my free lesson on the conjugation of être – to be in French – with 450 audio recordings! You’ll understand why I say French students should learn French verb conjugations with audio !

When the French “ne” disappears

Now, quite often in spoken French, the “ne” and even the “n’” totally disappear.

This is very, very common in spoken French pronunciation.

Let’s hear how the verb “parler” in the present indicative negative would be pronounced.

Press on the audio player and you’ll hear 3 pronunciations:

• the overly enunciated pronunciation like you probably learned it in school or with a traditional French learning method,
• then the medium glided pronunciation like I encourage you to speak,
• the common modern French pronunciation like you’ll hear it in France today.
• Je ne parle pas = jeun parlpa – shparlpa
• Tu ne parles pas = tune parlpa – tuparlpa
• Il ne parle pas = een parlpa – iparlpa
• elle ne parle pas = ènn parlpa – èparlpa
• Nous ne parlons pas = noonparlonpa – nooparlonpa
• Vous ne parlez pas = voon parlépa – vooparlépa
• Ils ne parlent pas = een parlpa – iparlpa
• Elles ne parlent pas = ènn parlpa – èparlpa

My beginner level French method features a realistic story recorded 3 times to feature overly enunciated, normal and modern spoken French pronunciation.

French Today’s audiobook method is the only French learning method to teach both traditional and modern spoken French pronunciation, and still provide level-adapted grammar structure to gradually prepare to successfully interact with French people.

Let’s carry on with our exploration of spoken French.

What Happens With Small Words?

Just like with “ne” and “je”, other small words in “e” are likely to glide in spoken French.

How to pronounce “Se, ce, te, me, que, de, me” in spoken French?

Se, ce, te, me, que, de, me… They all glide in spoken French: the “e” will not be pronounced and the consonant will glide with another French vowel .

Let’s take some example

• The “il” and the “te” both glide becoming “it” Enunciated French: Il te parle (he is talking to you) Spoken French: itparl
• “Que” becomes a K sound that starts the following word. Enunciated French:Je veux que tu lui parles (I want you to speak to him/her) Spoken French: shveu ktu lui parl
• When followed by an S sound, the “que” and the following word combine to sound like an X sound Enunciated French: Je n’ai pas que ça à faire (I have other things to do) Spoken French: jé paxa-a fèr
• “Qu’est-ce que” is pronounced Kèss Enunciated French: Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? (What are you doing?) Spoken French: Kèss tu fay
• The “ce” part of “est-ce que” always glides. You will hear “S keu”, or “S kil”, “S Kèl” when followed by “il(s)” or “elle(s)” Enunciated French: Est-ce qu’il fait beau ? (Is the weather nice ?) Spoken French: S kifèbo
• The “de” often glides or even disappears Enunciated French: Pas de problème (No problem) Spoken French: pad problem Enunciated French: Tout de suite (Right away) Spoken French: toot suit

I realise this is really new to many of you reading this lesson. So how can you learn this? Repeating short phrases is not going to help much because you need to get accustomed to the flow of it all in French. The best way to learn the right French pronunciation is to learn it in the context of a story.

French Today’s French learning method is illustrated by an ongoing bilingual novel recorded once in overly enunciated French, then in modern spoken French, and focuses on today’s everyday French language.  Learn French easily at home and on the go on any device!

A new approach to learning both traditional and modern French logically structured for English speakers.

More Details & Audio Samples

How to pronounce object pronouns in spoken French?

The pronunciation of French object pronouns (me, te, le, la, lui, nous, vous, les, leur) is quite different between overly enunciated French and normal spoken French

• “te” becomes a [t] sound.
• “le” becomes a [L] sound and often totally disappears,
• “lui” becomes a [ui] sound and often totally disappears.
• “la” may also totally disappear.

“Nous” “vous” and “leur” don’t change much, but other words like “ne” or “je, tu, il(s), elle(s)” may contract with them and affect the way you think the whole sentence should sound…

Overly enunciated French pronunciation: Je le donne à Pierre – I give it to Pierre. Common gliding: Jeul donne à Pierre Extreme gliding: Jleu donne à Pierre

Now let’s make a more complex sentence: Overly enunciated French pronunciation: Je ne le lui donne pas – I don’t give it to him/her. Enunciated French pronunciation: Jeun le lui donn pa Common gliding: Jui donn pa Extreme gliding: Ji donne pa (I don’t encourage you to copy that one)

To know more about the modern glided pronunciation of the French object pronouns le, la, les, lui, leur pronunciation I’ll let you follow the link to another lesson I dedicated to that subject… There’s just too much to say!

Expressions in Spoken French

Because we say them so much, the pronunciation of common French expressions is going to be quite different in spoken French.

So different that if you only learned the written form, or the overly enunciated way to say these expressions, you will probably not understand them if you heard them in a natural French conversation.

What’s the Modern Pronunciation of”Il y a”?

“Il y a” is probably where the difference between the enunciated and the modern spoken French pronunciation is the most blatant.

Please click on the audio player to hear my recording. First the enunciated pronunciation, then then regular spoken French pronunciation.

• Enunciated French: Il y a (there was) Everyday Spoken French: ya
• Enunciated French: Il n’y a pas (there isn’t) Everyday Spoken French: yapa
• Enunciated French: Il y en a (there’s some) Everyday Spoken French: yan na
• Enunciated French: Il n’y en a pas (there isn’t any) Everyday Spoken French: yan napa
• Enunciated French: Il y aura (there will be) Everyday Spoken French: yora
• Enunciated French: Il y a eu (there has been) Everyday Spoken French: ya u

Politeness expressions – spoken French pronunciation

The modern pronunciation of French politeness expressions will probably surprise you.

• Enunciated French: Je t’en prie (you’re welcome using tu) Everyday Spoken French: shtan pri
• Enunciated French: S’il te plaît (please using tu) Everyday Spoken French: ste plé
• Enunciated French: Il n’y a pas de quoi (it’s nothing using tu) Everyday Spoken French: yapad koi
• Enunciated French: Non ( no in French ) Everyday Spoken French: nan
• Enunciated French: Oui Everyday Spoken French: way (we spell it “ouais” – a common way to say yes in French )

Now that we’ve talked in length about the modern spoken French pronunciation, let’s see the French vocabulary used in spoken French.

What Is French Slang?

Slang has mostly to do with French vocabulary .

The traditional French slang is called “l’argot”, and many words of “argot” are used colloquially in spoken French throughout generations.

Like in other languages, French slang terms can easily become outdated… Some slang terms can be really vulgar, or even be insults… So be careful when using French… You should be sure of the meaning and only use slang in the right context and with the right crowd.

Examples of modern French slang

“Le parler d’jeunes” is the brand new French slang – new expressions are added every year! Spoken French: Comme je me suis mangé la gueule ! Man, I totally wiped out! Formal French: Ah la la, je suis vraiment tombé fort !

What is verlan?

“Le verlan” is a common French slang practice consisting of inverting the order of syllables in a word. Spoken French: Z’y va. Go for it! Formal French: vas-y. Spoken French: Cimer. Thanks. Formal French: merci (click her for more ways to say thank you in French ). 

What is franglish?

“Franglish” is a mix of French and English words used with a more or less correct French accent and meaning in French. Spoken French: On a brainstormé toute la journée au bureau. We brainstormed all day at the office. Formal French: On a bien réfléchi ensemble toute la journée au bureau.

French slang based on foreign words

Other foreign languages influence the French language, in particular Arabic. Spoken French: Je la kiff. I’m attracted to her. Formal French: Je la trouve très attirante.

So there are definitely several layers to mastering French Vocabulary!

Are You Learning The Right French Vocabulary?

It’s important that students get a feeling for the vocabulary words they are learning.

Lots of people like to listen to French songs and learn some new vocabulary this way. It’s fine, but be aware that if you are in your fifties, you may not want to sound like a twenty year-old rap singer…

On the other hand, I hear too many students who learn French with traditional French literature from the 19th century and use words or expressions that are absolutely outdated now.

So, it’s important that you learn not only French vocabulary, but also the context in which it is best used. To achieve this, there is nothing better than learning French within the context of a story .

And this is only for the vocabulary part…. Now let’s see how French grammar changes when we speak French.

Spoken French – Questions & Grammar

Many grammatical constructions such as asking questions also change in modern spoken French.

• What’s your name? Formal French: Comment vous appelez-vous ? Spoken French: Vous vous appelez comment ?
• Why are you going to France? Formal French: Pourquoi allez-vous en France ? Spoken French: v ous allez en France pourquoi ?
• What are you doing? Formal French: Q u’est-ce que tu fais ? Spoken French: T u fais quoi ?

In modern street French, it’s very, very rare to use inversion. Instead, it’s the tone of your voice that shows we are asking a question: we just say the statement, then we raise our voice.

• Does he live in France? Il habite en France ?

If we are using an interrogative expression (why, when, who, at what time etc…), the expression will be placed at the end of the street French question.

• At what time do you start? Tu commences à quelle heure ?
• With whom do you work? Vous travaillez avec qui ?

This is particularly confusing for students of French who often never studied this way to ask a question in French class, and are totally confused by the word order and therefore freeze when they need to answer in French .

French Today’s audiobook “Secrets of French Conversation” explains in depth all the different ways of asking questions in French , including the very formal inversion, est-ce que, and also the modern spoken French way, all with audio recordings and plenty of exercises.

Now let’s see how even the classical French word order gets affected when we speak French.

Spoken French Word Order

Something else that changes in spoken French is the the typical word order: I can’t really explain it, but we either use pronouns to reinforce the subject, for example:

• Your answer is great Formal French: Ta réponse est très bonne Spoken French: Elle est top ta réponse !

Or we feed the info in chunks, without many linking words, as to feed the brain the most important facts first. For example:

• When does the cleaning lady come exactly on Monday? Formal French: Quand exactement la femme de ménage vient-elle ce lundi ? Spoken French: La femme de ménage, lundi, elle vient quand exactement ?

See how in spoken French, you got the key info very clearly:

• “la femme de ménage”
• “vient quand”.

I could also have said

• “la femme de ménage vient quand exactement lundi”,
• “elle vient quand exactement lundi, la femme de ménage ?”
• “elle vient quand exactement la femme de ménage lundi ?”…

There are several possibilities!

It would be extremely hard to teach a French student to mimic these constructions, as there are no rules per se. It’s our French ear that would tell us if it’s possible or not. Yet, the word order is not totally random: I couldn’t move the “word blocks” in many different ways…

So, here again, I don’t suggest you speak this way necessarily. But you need to be able to understand it and therefore learn with a French method with both classic and modern spoken French recordings so you develop an ear for these constructions.

Test Your Spoken French Understanding

Because so many students are in denial (they think they understand French but they don’t actually understand modern spoken French) I actually designed a unique test especially to test your spoken French understanding.

My French test is entirely audio based: all the questions will be presented to you as a recording, and then after each question, you’ll have an answer which I’ve also recorded.

Take my free Spoken French test now!

20 Questions to REALLY test your modern French comprehension. All audio-based with full explanations.  Completely free, no signup required

Let’s Start…

Spoken French Language And French Mistakes

Unfortunately, some French grammar mistakes are also very common in spoken French.

Believe it or not, but the French Subjunctive is actually hard for French people as well. Nowadays, it’s quite common to hear Subjunctive mistakes. Same goes for past participle agreements.

Some grammatical constructions are also affected. For example, it’s common to hear “la copine à ma soeur” instead of “la copine de ma soeur” (my sister’s friend).

I’m sorry if I sound like a snob, but I think the info is important: there is a difference to be made between:

• the modern spoken French way of asking questions, which most French people uses when they speak French in a relaxed environment, yet considered by some linguists to be poor French,
• and French mistakes, which are… well, not just poor French, but simply real mistakes!

Voilà, I hope you now understand more the difference between modern spoken French – the French you’ll actually hear when you go to France and in modern French movies – and the overly enunciated, overly formal French that you’re likely to have studied with traditional French learning methods.

Both are part of the reality of French today.

I suggest you check out my French audiobook method to learn French the smart way today.

Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 25+ years in the US and France. Based on my students' goals and needs, I've created unique downloadable French audiobooks focussing on French like it's spoken today, for all levels. Come to Paimpol and enjoy an exclusive French immersion homestay with me in Brittany .

More Articles from Camille Chevalier-Karfis

You Might Also Enjoy...

More free lessons

• French Pronunciation Audio Guide Learn the 36 French sounds with audio recordings
• Master French liaisons Audio guide with 100 examples
• Complete guide to everyday spoken French This audio guide will blow your mind!
• How to improve my French accent? Precise advice to sound more French
• The French Alphabet ABC’s and spelling in French
• French vowel sounds Do you know the 6 - yes I said 6 - French vowels?
• Perfect French R In three precise steps
• French Accent Marks What are the various French accent marks and how to type them
• English vs French pronunciation Pitch, intonation, rhythm, flow…
• The French nasal sounds How and why does a vowel + n/m become a nasal sound?
• The French elision J’aime Paris. But why?

I publish posts every week. Want to keep up to date with the new content? ✉️ Subscribe to my weekly newsletter

Recorded at 3 different speeds + Study Guide + Q&A + Full Transcript

Copyright - French Today 2024

• Privacy Policy
• Mentions Légales
• Affiliate Program

Can You Understand Today’s Spoken French?

It’s not just slang. The French everybody speaks in France today is NOT the overly enunciated, extremely formal French usually taught to foreigners.

TAKE YOUR FREE AUDIO TEST NOW

Saying ‘You are Welcome’ in French: From Basics to Beyond

Imagine you’re strolling through the charming streets of Paris. The smell of fresh croissants wafts from a local bakery, and people greet passing acquaintances with a cheerful ‘Bonjour.’ There’s joy in learning these everyday phrases that bind us together, and one important is ‘You’re welcome’ in French. Keep reading as we explore this phrase. We will provide different ways to say ‘You’re welcome,’ ensuring that you can express gratitude in any scenario – during a friendly conversation or at an official gathering. 

The Most Popular Ways to Say ‘You Are Welcome’ in French

In France, showing gratitude and acknowledging it integrates into daily conversations. The language offers numerous responses to ‘Merci,’ ensuring every moment of gratitude receives its deserving echo. Below, we delve into common ways to reply to ‘Thanks’ in French:

Arguably the most straightforward response to ‘Merci,’ ‘De Rien’ translates to ‘It’s nothing.’ It is casual, suggesting the act was no trouble at all.

Merci pour l’aide! De rien, c’était un plaisir. (Thank you for the help! It was no trouble at all.)

• Avec Plaisir

Translating to ‘With pleasure,’ this phrase is a gracious way of responding, particularly in more formal scenarios or to show added respect.

Merci de m’avoir invité. Avec plaisir, j’espère que vous avez passé un bon moment. (Thank you for inviting me. With pleasure, I hope you had a good time.)

• C’est Normal

Translating to ‘It’s normal,’ this phrase implies that the act or favor was just a standard expectation or something anyone would do. It’s often used among friends or family members to convey that there was no burden in the assistance provided.

Merci de m’avoir aidé avec les courses. C’est normal, tu ferais la même chose pour moi. (Thank you for helping me with the shopping. It’s normal, you’d do the same for me.)

• Pas De Quoi

‘Pas De Quoi’ can be closely equated to ‘Don’t mention it’ in English. It’s a casual and friendly way to respond to someone’s thanks, suggesting it was no big deal.

Merci d’avoir gardé mon chien pendant le week-end. Pas de quoi, il est adorable! (Thanks for looking after my dog over the weekend. Don’t mention it, he’s adorable!)

• Il N’y A Pas De Quoi

A slightly elongated version of the previous expression, ‘Il N’y A Pas De Quoi,’ still means ‘There’s no need to thank me’ or ‘It’s not a big deal.’ This response is versatile and fits a variety of formal and informal situations.

Merci pour votre patience. Il n’y a pas de quoi, je comprends la situation. (Thank you for your patience. It’s not a big deal, I understand the situation.)

How to Say ‘You’re Welcome’ in French in Formal and Informal Settings

The beauty of the French language is manifested not just in its melodic sound but also in its ability to offer expressions tailored to different scenarios. Just as a suit might be appropriate for a business meeting and casual wear for a day out with friends, responses to gratitude vary based on the formality of the setting. Here are the ways to say ‘You’re welcome’ in French informal and formal settings:

Translating to ‘It works,’ this phrase is colloquial and gives a laid-back vibe. While it might seem odd as a response to gratitude, it’s a way of saying ‘All is good’ among friends.

Merci de m’avoir prêté ton vélo. Ça marche, rends-le quand tu veux! (Thanks for lending me your bike. All is good, return it whenever!)

• Pas De Problème

Translating directly to ‘No problem,’ this casual phrase is often used among friends and peers to convey ease and lack of inconvenience.

Hey, merci d’avoir ramené mon sac! Pas de problème, ça m’a fait plaisir! (Hey, thanks for bringing my bag back! No problem, I was happy to!)

A shortened version of ‘Ne t’inquiète pas,’ which means ‘Don’t worry.’ It’s slang and very informal, commonly used among younger generations.

Merci de m’avoir couvert hier soir. T’inquiète, c’est ça les amis! (Thanks for covering for me last night. Don’t worry, that’s what friends are for!)

• Je Vous En Prie

It is perhaps the gold standard for formal expressions of ‘You’re welcome.’ Used in professional environments or when addressing someone you’re not on first-name terms, it exudes politeness.

Merci pour votre présentation très instructive. Je vous en prie, c’était un plaisir de la partager. (Thank you for your very informative presentation. You’re welcome, it was a pleasure to share it.)

• Avec Tout Le Plaisir

An extended version of ‘Avec Plaisir,’ this phrase further emphasizes the pleasure derived from the act. It is ideal for formal gatherings or when wanting to show deep respect.

Merci d’avoir organisé cette soirée. Avec tout le plaisir, Monsieur. (Thank you for organizing this evening. It was all my pleasure, Sir.)

• C’est Bien Naturel

Directly translating to ‘It’s only natural,’ this phrase is reserved for situations where you want to convey that it was your pleasure or duty to help or assist, making it suitable for formal scenarios.

Je tiens à vous remercier pour vos conseils précieux, Docteur. C’est bien naturel, Mademoiselle. Je suis là pour ça. (I must thank you for your invaluable advice, Doctor. It’s only natural, Miss. I’m here for that.)

Regional Variations of The French ‘You’re Welcome’

Navigating the landscape of the French language, you’ll stumble upon delightful regional variations. While the sentiment remains consistent, the expressions diversify, showing numerous dialects and local influences:

Predominantly used in informal settings, especially among the younger population, this phrase means ‘It rolls,’ akin to ‘All good’ or ‘No worries.’ It’s prevalent in various regions, but especially in southern France.

Merci de m’avoir passé le sel. Ça roule! (Thanks for passing the salt. All good!)

• C’est Tope-là

It is a phrase from the West of France, especially in Brittany. It means ‘That’s perfect’ or ‘It’s all good’. It’s a way to acknowledge thanks by confirming everything is in order. 

Merci de m’avoir réservé une place. C’est tope-là! (Thank you for reserving a spot for me. It’s all good!)

In Quebec, where French and English cultures intertwine, ‘Bienvenue’ finds an unexpected role. While it traditionally means ‘Welcome,’ Quebecers use it similarly to the English ‘You’re welcome.’ It’s a testament to the linguistic evolution driven by the mingling of languages and cultures.

Merci pour le livre. Bienvenue! (Thanks for the book. You’re welcome!)

Switzerland’s rich French, German, and Italian influences molded its language etiquette. ‘Service!’ is a response in the French-speaking parts, particularly in hospitality settings. Evoking ‘At your service’ or ‘Happy to serve’ resonates with Switzerland’s ethos of meticulousness and service.

Merci pour le délicieux repas. Service! (Thanks for the delicious meal. At your service!)

In parts of Africa, where French melds seamlessly with local dialects and traditions, ‘C’est ça’ (That’s it) is sometimes used informally. It’s a laid-back, almost playful acknowledgment of gratitude, asserting that the act was no big deal.

Merci d’être venu. C’est ça, toujours là pour toi! (Thanks for coming. That’s it, always there for you!)

More Than Words: Non-Verbal Acknowledgments in French Culture

In French culture, how one communicates goes beyond merely articulating well-phrased responses; non-verbal cues often carry as much weight. Acknowledging gratitude non-verbally through a warm smile, a heartfelt embrace, or a respectful nod allows for a richer, more nuanced interaction. Let us delve into some non-verbal responses that are embraced in French culture:

• A Warm Smile. Sometimes, a smile can convey what words cannot. In daily interactions, a sincere, warm smile can gracefully acknowledge gratitude. It signals pleasure, agreement, and the readiness to assist further, all without uttering a single word.
• A Respectful Nod. A nod is not just an affirmation but a universal gesture of acknowledgment. In France, it often accompanies verbal responses, emphasizing understanding and respect, providing a silent yet affirming backdrop to the spoken words.
• A Friendly Pat on the Back. Among friends or in less formal settings, a friendly pat on the back can be a robust, warm way to acknowledge thanks. It embodies camaraderie and mutual respect, forging a closer bond through the physical gesture.
• A Heartfelt Hug.  A hug is a robust non-verbal response in family settings or amongst close friends. It wraps the person in a cocoon of warmth and affection, transcending verbal boundaries to convey deep-seated gratitude and understanding.

These non-verbal cues can significantly enhance communication. Their universal appeal transcends cultural differences and harnesses the power of human connection.

Unlock New Language Horizons with Promova

Discover the joy of language learning with Promova . Our platform is designed to provide a comprehensive experience beyond vocabulary and grammar rules. Whether English, Korean, Spanish, or French , Promova ensures you will get all the necessary tools to flourish in your journey. 

Our guided courses, available on the  Promova app and website, offer a systematic learning path for learners with any level of proficiency. You will get access to well-structured lessons equipped with vocabulary lists, grammar rules, and interactive quizzes. You can learn at your own pace, refining your language skills in a way that suits you best.

For those looking to sharpen their English skills, Promova offers carefully curated group classes and personalized 1x1 lessons, all taught by certified tutors . You can enjoy the convenience of learning directly from professionals without leaving your environment. After signing up, you’ll get a free individual lesson, giving you a firsthand experience of our exceptional tutoring sessions.

We extend the learning experience through our regularly updated blog. With various topics covered, the Promova blog is an excellent supplement to the platform’s resources. For instance, you can discover  30 ways to say ‘Hello’ in English or learn the difference between ser and estar in Spanish . We not only help you understand the technicalities of a language but immerse you in the diversity of its context, enriching your learning journey.

Understanding the array of ways to say ‘You’re welcome’ in French is more than just an exercise in linguistics. It is also an appreciation of the layers and richness of French culture. Each phrase paints a colorful picture of France’s social fabric, from formal traditional interactions to casual chats among friends. After all, when we learn new words, we don’t simply gain more tools for communication; we open windows to new ways of seeing the world.

What common mistakes do learners make while responding to ‘Thank You’?

Common mistakes include using overly formal phrases in casual settings or not reciprocating with the warmth typically expected in French culture. Understanding the nuanced use of different expressions can help in avoiding these mistakes.

How do young French speakers adapt or modernize traditional expressions of gratitude?

Younger French generations often adopt a blend of traditional and contemporary expressions. While they appreciate and use age-old phrases, they might infuse them with modern slang or English borrowings, creating a fusion of old and new.

Is using non-verbal cues to respond to ‘Thank you’ in formal settings appropriate?

Absolutely. Non-verbal cues, such as a nod of the head or a polite smile, can complement verbal expressions of ‘You’re welcome’ in French formal settings. These gestures often add a layer of sincerity and warmth to interactions. However, they mustn’t replace spoken responses entirely.

Which resources are helpful for those learning French?

Digital dictionaries like  WordReference ,  Collins French-English Dictionary , and  Larousse are invaluable for those keen on enhancing their vocabulary and understanding. They offer definitions, synonyms, and translations. The  Promova French language learning app provides comprehensive resources, including practice exercises, quizzes, and interactive tutoring sessions.

Learn How to Say "You're Welcome" in French with Audio

There are quite a few phrases that you can say besides "You're welcome," to be polite. Read here to learn about French etiquette.

1. The formal one: Je vous en prie

2. the common one: de rien, 3. the easiest one: pas de problème, 4. the fancy one: il n’y a pas de quoi, 5. the complicated one: c’est moi qui vous remercie, 6. the southern french: avec plaisir, 7. “you’re welcome” around the world, final thoughts: there isn’t one right way to say “you’re welcome” in french.

Just like there isn’t only one way to say “thank you” in French , you can also say “you’re welcome” using different expressions. Some of them are appropriate in informal situations, others are more polite, and a couple are only used in Quebec or Belgium.

To make it even trickier, most “thank yous” are not interchangeable. So if you want to say “you’re welcome” in French and sound like a native, learning different phrases is a must.

Of course, as French is not your first language, you will most likely be forgiven if you use the wrong “you’re welcome” in a certain situation - for example, say pas de problème instead of je vous en prie in a formal situation.

But you don’t have to make these simple mistakes. While there are several expressions for saying “you’re welcome” in French, they are pretty easy to learn - especially with our constructive guide. Check it out below and see for yourself.

Or, if you want to practice right away, try one of the stories in our app right now:

Learn French with Langster

“Je vous en prie” is the most polite way to say “you’re welcome” in French. It’s very cultured and slightly old-fashioned , so you might not hear it in smaller towns around France.

This phrase literally means “I beg you” or “please.” Don’t worry about the translation though, French speakers don’t really see it as such.

Je vous en prie.

You're welcome.

When to use it?

Certainly not with your close friends or family members - this phrase is very formal as you use the personal pronoun “vous.” For example, you can say it at the store, at school, at work, or when talking to people you don’t know well.

Don't forget to use it, though. Remember that politeness is a big part of the French culture , and saying "you're welcome" or not may determine your relationship with another person.

For example:

- Jack, tu as fait le rapport ?

- Oui, je vous l'ai envoyé par e-mail.

- Je vous en prie.

- Jack, have you done the report?

- Yes, I’ve sent it to you via email.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

A little less formal: Je t’en prie

If you want, you can make this phrase slightly less formal by changing the pronoun to “tu” and thus saying Je t’en prie .

This expression is a bit more casual, yet not completely informal. You can use it when talking to people you’re on the “tu” basis with when you want to sound professional or when someone thanks you for something important.

However, you might not hear this expression often - for many French speakers, “je t’en prie” seems like a strange combination of a formal expression said in an informal way.

Je t’en prie.

On the other hand, this expression you might hear more frequently than je t’en prie or even je vous en prie . De rien is probably the most common way to say “you’re welcome” in French , and it can generally be used in almost any situation (except for professional or extremely formal ones).

De rien can be translated as the alternative of the English phrase “that’s nothing/don’t worry about it,” and it literally means “of nothing.” It’s also similar to the Spanish “de nada” - so if you know some Spanish already (or if you’re learning both languages on Langster ), you shouldn’t have problems memorizing this phrase.

How to use it?

You shouldn’t say de rien to your boss or business partner; however, you can freely use it when talking to your friends, relatives, classmates, colleagues you feel friendly with, etc.

You can also say de rien when someone thanks you for something not that important - for example, passing them salt during dinner.

Add some glam

If you want your “de rien” to sound a little fancier, you can add some extra words to eat. For example:

Ce n’est rien !

It’s nothing!

Mais de rien, monsieur/madame !

But of course, sir/madam!

Are you looking for the most casual way to say “you’re welcome” in French? In that case, you can use pas de problème . This phrase doesn’t really mean “you’re welcome” in French - instead, it’s an informal response with a literal translation of “no problem.”

Pas de problème.

No problem.

It’s also the easiest phrase to remember for the English native speakers who are just starting to learn French, as it sounds similar to the English expression.

How to Use “Pas de problème”

What you need to remember here is not to use this phrase in formal situations - for example, when saying “you’re welcome” to your boss.

However, you don’t have to only use pas de problème when talking to a close friend or a family member- you can say it after doing someone a favor. For example:

- Merci beaucoup de m'aider à porter les bagages dans les escaliers.

- Pas de problème.

- Thank you for helping me carry luggage up the stairs.

- No problem.

You can also say pas de soucis instead of this phrase, which means “no worries.” However, this is also an informal way of saying “you’re welcome” in French, so be careful when you’re using it.

“Il n’y a pas de quoi” is literally translated as “there is nothing (to thank me for)” or “there’s no reason to thank me for.” This is yet another common way to say “you’re welcome” in French, and can be used in the same context as “de rien.”

You can, for example, say il n’y a pas de quoi after doing someone a favor or when talking to a colleague.

This phrase is also often shortened as y a pas de quoi . This version is even more informal, so you should avoid using it in polite conversations. However, you can definitely say y a pas de quoi among close friends or family members.

Il n’y a pas de quoi.

Among all the formal expressions that allow you to say “you’re welcome” in French, this one is the most polite. For example, you can hear it from a seller at a store, and it will mean something like, “it’s me who should thank you” or “the pleasure is all mine.”

C’est moi qui vous remercie.

You're welcome / the pleasure's all mine.

However, not many French-speaking people use this phrase - probably because it’s too long and highly formal. Its shortened version, “c’est moi,” is more commonly used, although it is slightly more casual.

When to use this expression?

You can say C’est moi qui vous remercie when someone thanks you while you think you should be the one thanking them. For example, after a work meeting:

- Merci pour la réunion, Marie.

- C’est moi qui vous remercie de nous avoir accordé du temps.

- Thank you for the meeting, Mary.

- That’s me who should thank you for taking the time.

Of course, in different regions of France, you will hear different expressions used to say “you’re welcome” - that’s the same as with pain au chocolat and chocolatine .

In Southern France, you’re more likely to hear “avec plaisir” when someone has to respond to your “merci/merci beaucoup.” For English speakers learning French this phrase is very straightforward and easy to learn as it's almost the same as “my pleasure.”

It’s literally translated as “with pleasure” or “it’s a pleasure,” and it’s a French alternative for “my pleasure.” Of course, it doesn’t directly mean “you’re welcome” in French - however, you can use it to tell someone you were happy to do what you did.

Avec plaisir.

With pleasure.

- Merci de m'avoir aidé à déménager.

- Avec plaisir.

- Thank you for helping me move.

- My pleasure.

Be cautious

Avec plaisir is used in different ways in the French regions. While in the south of France, it’s commonly used as an alternative to “de rien” - as an informal way to say “you’re welcome” - in other French regions, it doesn’t directly mean “you’re welcome.”

What we recommend is to stick to “avec plaisir” only in southern France - and everywhere else use “de rien” or other informal ways of saying “you’re welcome.”

The French language is not the same in the different countries around the world.

While Parisian French is often seen as a traditional version that you will learn in most of the French classes, there are many French-speaking places you might want to visit. And there, people use different ways to say “you’re welcome” that are not common in France.

Let’s take a look at how you can say “you’re welcome” in French when visiting Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland.

The Canadian one: Bienvenue

It may sound strange, but people speaking Canadian French actually use bienvenue to say “you’re welcome.”

You're welcome (Canada).

However, if that seems unusual to you, just remember that “bienvenue” literally means “thank you” or “welcome” in French. So they are not wrong to use this expression in Canada.

The Belgian one: S’il vous plaît

In Belgium, you can often hear s’il vous plaît in response to merci, and it may seem that that’s just another way to say “you’re welcome.” However, it actually means “if you please.”

S’il vous plaît.

If you please (Belgium).

It’s a pretty formal way to respond to “merci” - for example, in restaurants. You can hear it from a waiter, and in that case, it will be more of an invitation to eat - something similar to je vous en prie .

The Swiss one: À votre service

À votre service is a pretty formal expression that is often used in hotels or restaurants, and literally means “at your service.” You don’t have to say it yourself (although it will sound pretty polite) - but you can use a shorter version: service .

À votre service.

You're welcome (Switzerland).

This is also not a direct way to say “you’re welcome” in French, but it is commonly used in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland. However, don’t worry - you don’t have to memorize this or any other local expressions. All Francophone people understand standard French, so you can simply use other common ways to say “you’re welcome.”

As you can see, when it comes to saying “you’re welcome” in French, there’s a number of expressions you can choose from. What you should remember here is not to stick to just one of them.

Yes, it might seem easier to learn je vous en prie and use it every time you speak with French people. But there are many ways to respond to “merci,” and they will differ according to the context. Learning a few common phrases is a must, especially if you want to speak French fluently.

However, we know that it can be pretty challenging to learn huge chunks of French vocabulary when you’re just starting your language learning journey. The key is to practice often and not just memorize new words and expressions.

For example, you can do various exercises, watch French movies, or use apps - such as the Langster app - to reinforce what you’ve just learned. Trust us: there’s no better way to become fluent in French (or any other language) than to speak and practice.

Beata Hardzei

Beata Hardzei loves languages and shares this passion through her writing. Speaking English, Polish, Russian, and French, she explores the nuances of foreign languages, aiming to make learning feel more like a journey than a task. Beata's background as a teacher and translator enriches her insights, helping you see language learning as an accessible, enriching experience.

Learn with Langster

French Conjugations: the Basics (with Audio)

8 Ways to Say “Sorry” in French with Audio

Canadian French vs. European French: Differences and Similarities

More Langster

• Why Stories?
• For Educators
• French A1 Grammar
• French A2 Grammar
• German A1 Grammar
• German A2 Grammar
• Spanish Grammar
• English Grammar

Speech in French. Plus, How to Write a Speech in French.

How to start, what to include.

Spearheaded by the French Academy, the people in France take their language very seriously. While Spanish radio announcers laugh at their language mistakes, their northern neighbors are terrified of getting something wrong. So even though you know you may be judged critically by a French audience, you can prepare a good presentation by following the rules of good speech writing. Once you break the process down into small steps, it isn't as frightening as it appears. ‌ Writing a speech in French follows the same basic rules as writing one in English: introduction, body of the speech and conclusion. ‌

‌ Begin by welcoming your audience ‌. "Bonjour (or bonsoir) mesdames et messieurs" will do nicely, as it is the expected French greeting.

‌ Apologize for not speaking French perfectly. ‌ Unless you are a bilingual Parisian who refers to french as français, it is a good idea to admit up-front that your language skills are not perfect. Your audience will sympathize more with you if you are honest.

‌ Start your speech in French with a topic sentence that indicates you are witty and well-versed in French literature. ‌ If you can't think of anything, use a quote from a known French writer bordered by quotation marks, such as Sarte, Renard or Voltaire.

‌ Outline what your speech is going to be about in your opening. ‌ Open with j’ai and let your French audience know where you are going with your speech. It is important to stick to your topic, as the French will expect you to deliver what you promise. This could be an example of indirect speech.

‌ Shy away from humor unless you are practically a native speaker and understand the subtle way the French use double innuendos. ‌ Slap-stick American jokes will alienate your audience and leave you looking like a bumpkin.

‌ Pull your speech together in your concluding paragraph ‌. Politely thank your audience for attending, and giving you the courtesy of listening to your speech. Remember that the French stress manners. This could be an example of direct speech.

‌ End your speech in French with a memorable line that links back to your topic sentence. ‌ If you can't think of anything, resort to repeating the quotation you started with, or using another equally as memorable phrase. Pay attention to verb tenses and french grammar.

‌ Edit your speech in French for common grammatical mistakes. ‌ Remember that the French language has masculine and feminine pronouns, so check to make sure you use "le" and "la" are correct. Try to alternate seamlessly between past tense, present tense, subjunctive, and infinitive. Double check conjugation.

‌ Pronunciation takes practice, especially with french words. ‌ Practice your reported speech out loud and sound out your french vocabulary in order to avoid stumbling. Beginning learners should spend extra time on this.

• Ask a native French speaker to check your speech to be sure you got everything right.

It takes time to learn French, so go easy on yourself but you still must sound professional.

Related Articles

How to Speak 18th-Century English

How to Learn English From Farsi

What to do with a french phd.

Effective Uses of Verbal Communication

Speech Techniques for High School

How to Master English Listening

How to Say "Goodbye" in Spanish

How to Say "Merry Christmas" in Scottish

• Write-Out-Loud: How to Write a Speech
• Think Exist: Famous French Writer Quotes
• The Free Dictionary: French Academy

Jody Hanson began writing professionally in 1992 to help finance her second around-the-world trip. In addition to her academic books, she has written for "International Living," the "Sydney Courier" and the "Australian Woman's Forum." Hanson holds a Ph.D. in adult education from Greenwich University.

9 Useful ways to say you’re welcome in French

French has many ways to express gratitude and say thank you. Similarly, there are several ways to say you’re welcome in French.

In this article, we’ll explore 9 useful ways to say you’re welcome in French so that you can impress native speakers with your language skills. Let’s get started!

Useful ways to say you’re welcome in French

In French , there are numerous ways to say “you’re welcome,” and knowing them can help improve your fluency.

From common casual expressions to polite and formal responses, understanding the different options can help you navigate different social situations.

In this article, we’ll explore 9 useful ways to say “you’re welcome” in French so that you can impress native speakers with your language skills.

From common phrases like “de rien” to more polite expressions like “Je Vous en prie” , you’ll learn the different options to use in different contexts.

Keep reading to improve your French vocabulary and sound more like a native speaker.

Common ways to say, “You’re welcome.”

• “De rien” – This is one of the most common and casual ways to say “you’re welcome” in French. It can be translated to “it’s nothing” or “don’t mention it”.
• “Il n’y a pas de quoi” – This phrase means “there’s nothing to thank me for”, and it’s another informal way to respond to someone who thanks you.
• “Pas de problème” – “No problem” can be used similarly to “you’re welcome”; it can show that the action was done with ease and no problem occurred during it. It’s a casual way to reply

Please keep in mind that the context of the situation and tone of voice can also affect which expression is most appropriate.

Polite ways to say, “You’re welcome.”

• “Je vous en prie” – “Please” is a polite and proper way to say “you’re welcome” in French. It is used to express that the speaker is happy to have been able to help the other person.
• “Ce n’est rien” – This phrase, which translates to “it’s nothing,” can also be used as a polite way of responding to someone’s thanks. It’s a common way to show humility and to play down your action as something small and insignificant.
• “C’est tout naturel” – This phrase, which means “it’s natural,” is another polite way to respond to someone’s thanks. It implies that the speaker’s actions were done out of natural kindness and that it’s normal to do so.
• “Avec Plaisir” – “With pleasure” it’s a polite way to express your willingness to help or that you enjoyed helping.
• ”Avec grand plaisir” – “With great pleasure” express even more emphasis on the willingness and enjoyment of helping.

Formal ways to say “You’re welcome”

• “A votre service” – This phrase, which translates to “at your service,” is a very formal and polite way to say “you’re welcome.” It is often used in a professional setting, such as in customer service or when addressing a superior.
• “Je suis ravi de vous avoir aidé” – “I am delighted to have helped you” is a formal way to express that you were pleased to have been able to assist someone.
• “C’est un plaisir pour moi” – “It is a pleasure for me” is a formal way to indicate that you take pleasure from being able to help someone else.
• “C’est un honneur” – “It’s an honor” can be used in formal settings; it implies that you feel privileged to have been able to help the other person.
• “Avec grand plaisir” – “With great pleasure” express even more emphasis on the willingness and enjoyment of helping, and it can be used formally as well.

Bottom line

Learning a new language can be challenging, but knowing different ways to say “you’re welcome” in French can greatly improve your fluency and help you navigate different social situations.

From common casual expressions like “de rien” to more polite and formal expressions like “a votre service” and “c’est un honneur”, there is a wide range of options to choose from.

By learning and practicing these phrases, you’ll be able to respond to others’ gratitude more naturally and appropriately.

Remember that, as always, context and tone are important when using any of these expressions.

Please keep this information handy, and don’t hesitate to use them in your next French conversation.

Additionally, if you want to continue improving your French, consider taking a course, finding a language exchange partner, or immersing yourself in French-language media.

All these methods can be beneficial in enhancing your language skills and making you sound like a native speaker.

Related Posts

French: how to teach on italki.

Why a guide to teaching languages online I’m ready to reveal my small secrets as I transition from providing online instruction to managing my website.

German: Babbel vs Duolingo: differences

Numerous individuals use software and apps to learn new languages. These days, two well-known online resources for language learning include Babbel and Duolingo. They both

Languages: Babbel vs Duolingo: differences

In today’s post, we’ll talk about the differences between Babbel and Duolingo. These are unquestionably the two most well-known language learning programs out there. Let’s

Spanish for “nights”: words and examples

There are several terms and idioms in Spanish that refer to the night, each with its unique sense and function. In Spanish, the most basic

How to say no in Spanish: 15 different ways

Learn 15 different ways to say “no” in Spanish and understand their appropriate usage. Improve your communication skills and broaden your vocabulary. As we go

How to maximize your time in learning French: Tips and strategies for success

Efficiently learn French with expert tips and strategies! Discover how to maximize your time and achieve success in your language journey. Start mastering French today!

How do you say “bon appetit” in Spanish?

Savor the flavors of Spanish cuisine with the proper greeting “Buen Provecho” when dining. Say “Bon Appétit” in Spanish and impress your friends! Bon appetit

German Lifestyle vs American Lifestyle: How to Adapt to German Lifestyle

Discover the intriguing clash of German and American lifestyles and learn essential tips for seamlessly adapting to the distinctive German way of life. As our

7 Common Myths of Learning the German Language

Discover the truth behind learning German as we debunk 7 common myths. From grammar fears to accent hurdles, prepare to unravel the language’s secrets. Over

Top 20 Spanish words used in sports

Discover the top 20 Spanish words commonly used in the world of sports. Enhance your sports vocabulary and understanding with our informative blog. Introduction The

French Phrases You Need in Workplace

Mastering French phrases in the workplace is essential for effective communication. This blog explores key phrases to navigate the professional world en français. I. Introduction

Sea in French: How to say Sea in Italian

Discover the Italian translation for “sea” with our guide. Learn how to pronounce and use this common word in the beautiful Italian language. The sea

11 Must-Know German Gardening Vocabulary Words for Green Thumbs

Master the German gardening jargon with our essential guide! Explore 11 must-know vocabulary words to level up your green thumb skills. If you’re passionate about

10 Must-Know Spanish Gardening Vocabulary Words for Green Thumbs

Expand your green thumb with these 10 essential Spanish gardening vocabulary words. Master the language of plants and enhance your gardening skills. 10 Essential Spanish

12 Must-Know French Gardening Vocabulary Words for Green Thumbs

Enhance your green thumb with our blog! Discover 12 essential French gardening terms to elevate your gardening skills and knowledge. Bonjour! As the warm weather

Spanish adverbials: Mientras…

The word Mientras can be an adverb or conjunction depending on the sentence and its structure. You can use mientras to connect two actions in

Spanish imperative negative + pronouns

The Spanish structure imperativo negativo + pronombres enclíticos is a bit controversial topic since many Spanish students get confused when using it. Los pronombres enclíticos

French Restaurant Phrases for Ordering Food and Drinks with Ease

Je voudrais un verre d’eau, s’il vous plaît. (I would like a glass of water, please.) Pouvez-vous m’apporter le menu, s’il vous plaît? (Can you

Say It Like a Native Speaker: 7 French Sayings You Should Know

Sayings or proverbs have a very important role in any culture and language, and the French language is no exception. They provide people with insight

Avoid vocabulary mistakes about false cognates in french

False cognates, also known as “faux amis“, are words that are similar in French and in English but ultimately, they have completely different meanings. When

Why is it important to respect French grammatical gender?

The grammatical gender is a system of classification in the French language that assigns a gender to nouns and adjectives. This plays a very important

7 Common Myths of Learning the French Language

Unveiling the Truth: Debunking 7 Common Myths of Learning the French Language. Separate fact from fiction in your language journey! 7 Most Popular Myths about

7 Myths About Learning Spanish

Unveiling the truth behind learning Spanish! Discover and debunk the 7 common myths that may be holding you back from mastering this vibrant language. Are

Spanish Lifestyle vs American Lifestyle: How to Adapt with Spanish Lifestyle

Discover the vibrant Spanish lifestyle and learn how to seamlessly adapt to it, contrasting it with the American way of life. Join us on this

French Lifestyle vs American Lifestyle: How to Adapt to French Lifestyle

Know more about the French lifestyle vs the American lifestyle. Which do you think is better for you? Embrace culture, cuisine, and joie de vivre!

Famous French Food You Must Try

Indulge in the flavors of France with our guide to famous French food. Discover must-try dishes like escargots, coq au vin, and crème brûlée. Bon

Famous French Singers You Must Know

Discover the iconic voices that have made French music famous worldwide. Our list of famous French singers features timeless classics and modern hits. French singers

Famous Spanish Food You Must Try

Embark on a delectable journey through Spain’s culinary wonders! Discover the must-try famous Spanish dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Spanish Food Spain is

Famous German Singers You Must Know

Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of German music as we showcase the extraordinary talents of renowned singers from Germany. From timeless

Famous Spanish Singers You Must Know

Let the music captivate your senses and ignite your passion for Spanish culture by knowing the famous Spanish singers that ever existed. Importance of Spanish

German Phrases You Need in the Workplace

Discover essential German phrases for the workplace. From greetings to professional conversations, equip yourself with the necessary language skills. German Phrases in the Workplace Learning

Spanish Phrases You Need in Workplace

Master the essential Spanish phrases for the workplace and enhance your communication skills. From greetings to professional requests, we’ve got you covered! Spanish Words in

Top Spanish Speaking Countries

Explore the vibrant cultures and diverse landscapes of the top Spanish-speaking countries in this blog. Discover their history, traditions, and more! Explanation of the importance

Top 20 German Words Used in Sports

Discover the top 20 German words commonly used in sports, from ‘Tor’ to ‘Abseits’. Enhance your sports vocabulary and impress your German-speaking friends! Introduction Explanation

Top 20 French Words Used in Sports

Discover the Top 20 French words used in sports! From “but” to “arbitre,” learn essential vocab to help you better understand the sports world in

How to Say “Food” in Spanish

“Learn the different ways to say ‘food’ in Spanish and expand your vocabulary with our comprehensive guide. Enhance your language skills today!” One of the

How to Say “Food” in French

Learn the various ways to say “food” in French with this comprehensive guide. Expand your vocabulary and impress your francophone friends! “Food” in French: La

How to Say “Food” in German

Learn how to say ‘food’ in German and impress your friends with your language skills! Check out our easy guide and enhance your vocabulary today.

Famous places in France: Where to go in France

Discover the most famous places in France with our guide to the famous places you can’t miss. Plan your trip today! France is well-known for

Top French Slang Words Used in Everyday Life

Discover the most popular French slang words and expressions that French natives use in everyday conversations. Improve your language skills and sound like a local!

Famous Places in Spain: Where to Go in Spain

Discover the most famous places in Spain and plan your next trip. From the iconic cities of Madrid and Barcelona to the stunning beaches of

Communication Skills in a Foreign Language: Achieve Fluency by Solving Tasks

Improve your communication skills in a foreign language by solving tasks. Our blog offers practical tips and strategies to achieve fluency. Start now! Mastering Communication

Top German Slang Words Used in Everyday Life

Discover the top German slang words used in everyday life with our comprehensive guide. Impress your friends and sound like a native speaker! Top German

Famous Places in Germany: Where to Go in Germany

Explore the must-visit famous places in Germany! Discover the top destinations and attractions to add to your itinerary for an unforgettable trip. Germany is a

Top German-Speaking Countries that You Must Know

Discover the top German-speaking countries to visit and explore their rich culture, stunning landscapes, and unique attractions. Start your adventure today! Over 130 million people

Top French Speaking Countries that You Must Know

Discover the top French-speaking countries around the world, their culture, traditions, and why learning French is beneficial. Start your journey today! French Speaking Countries French

How Useful German lessons on YouTube can benefit students

Discover how German lessons on YouTube can empower students with practical language skills, cultural insights, and engaging learning experiences. Boost your German fluency today! Would

How to Maximize Your Time in Learning Spanish

Unlock the secrets to mastering Spanish efficiently! Learn how to maximize your time in learning Spanish. Start your language-learning journey now!   Learning a new

Language Learning for Communication: Acquisition is Best

Discover why acquiring Spanish language skills through communication is the most effective approach. Enhance your learning journey with our expert tips. The importance of Spanish

How Useful French Lessons on YouTube to Students

Discover the power of French lessons on YouTube for students! Learn language skills with engaging videos, practice exercises, and interactive lessons. Boost your learning and

Top Spanish Slang Words Used in Everyday Life

Discover the most popular Spanish slang words and phrases used in everyday life! Improve your language skills and sound like a native speaker. Learning Spanish

Communication skills in a foreign language: Achieve fluency by solving tasks

Improve your ability to communicate in a foreign language by solving tasks. This blog helps you work through problems that improve your accuracy and confidence.

Top 7 Reasons for learning French

Parlez-vous Français? Explore the top 7 reasons for learning French and unlock a world of opportunities. Start your language journey with confidence today! 7 reasons

Top 7 Reasons for Learning German

Discover the power of learning German! Unlock opportunities and expand your horizons with compelling reasons to study German. Start your linguistic journey today! Reasons for

Top 9 Reasons for learning Spanish

Is learning Spanish worth it? What are the top reasons for learning the Spanish language? Start your Spanish journey now! Reasons why learning Spanish is worth

How to learn Spanish through Podcasts

Do you want to learn Spanish through podcasts? Immerse yourself in the richness of the Spanish language with our podcast-based learning guide. Learn Spanish through

How to learn Languages through Podcasts

Unlock the power of language learning with podcasts! Explore the ultimate guide to mastering a new language through engaging podcasts. Start your linguistic journey now!

How to Maximize Your Time in Learning German

Learn German efficiently with expert tips! Discover effective techniques on how to maximize your time in learning German. Tips and strategies for efficiently learning German

How to learn French through Podcasts

Unlock the beauty of the French language with our podcast-based learning approach. Master French effortlessly with engaging lessons and practical tips! The Power of Podcasts

How to Learn German through Podcasts

Master German with ease! Explore the ultimate guide to learning German through podcasts. Gain language skills, cultural insights, and fluency. Start your German journey now!

How useful Spanish Lessons on YouTube can Benefit Students

Discover the power of Spanish lessons on YouTube for students! Boost language skills with engaging videos. Learn Spanish anytime, anywhere. ¡Vamos! Learning a new language

How hard is it to learn German?

How hard is it to learn German?  Our comprehensive guide provides insights into the challenges and strategies to master the language. How hard is it

How hard is it to learn French?

Discover how difficult it is to learn French in our latest blog post, “Parlez-Vous Français?”. Gain insights and tips to improve your French skills. Parlez-vous

5 ways to say “excuse me” in Spanish and be a polite bilingual

Master the art of politeness with this blog on 5 ways to say “excuse me” in Spanish. Impress native speakers and boost your bilingual skills

Every meaning of Fare | German verbs and how to use them

Unlock the full potential of the German verb “fare” with this comprehensive guide! Learn all its meanings and how to use them in context. Check

How to Curse in French | 12 Most Popular Swear Words

You must have noticed by now that the French have a reputation for swearing a lot. If you are learning French, it’s a good idea

5 ways to say “excuse me” in French and be a polite bilingual

Learn how to say “excuse me” in five different ways in French and impress native speakers with your bilingual skills. Be polite and confident! Excuse

How to say in German

Looking to learn how to say common phrases in German? Check out this blog for tips and tricks on how to speak the language like

French Nasal Vowel /õ/ | Possible Spellings with Examples

The French language is renowned for its multiple nasal vowels, making it a challenging feat for non-native speakers to perfect. One sound that often trips

18 useful Spanish colloquial words and expressions

Spanish is a beautiful and expressive language, full of rich idiomatic expressions that can add flavor and humor to any conversation. If you’re learning Spanish,

French Preposition Dans | Usage and Meaning

Are you struggling with the usage of the French preposition “dans”? It can be confusing to determine when to use “dans” compared to other prepositions

7 ways to say “excuse me” in German and be a polite bilingual

In this blog, you’ll learn seven different ways to say “excuse me” in German, so you can be a polite bilingual and impress native speakers.

Chic Parisian Style: How to Dress when in Paris?

Excited about an upcoming trip to Paris, but not sure what to wear? Paris, the city of lights and fashion, is heaven for those who

French Nasal Vowel ɛ̃: Possible Spellings with Examples

One sound that often trips up learners is the nasal vowel ɛ̃, which is found in words like “temps” and “enfants”. In this blog post,

French Nasal Vowel ɑ̃: Possible Spellings with Examples

One sound that often trips up learners is the nasal vowel ɑ̃, which is found in words like “temps” and “champagne”. In this blog post,

What’s the meaning of “allons-y!”? A common French exclamation

Explore the meaning and cultural significance of “Allons-y!” in the French language. Discover its different uses and learn to use it correctly in conversation. What’s

Every meaning of “Fare” | Spanish verbs and how to use them

Discover the various meanings of ‘Fare’ in Spanish verbs and learn how to use them effectively. Expand your language skills with our comprehensive guide. Narrowing

Every meaning of Faire | French verbs and how to use them

Learn the various meanings of “faire” in French with this comprehensive guide. Master the verb’s usage in different contexts and improve your fluency. Meaning of

What’s the meaning of “¡vamos!”? A common Spanish exclamation

Discover the meaning and uses of “¡Vamos!” in the Spanish language. Learn about its cultural significance and how to use it correctly in conversation. What’s

Daring you to Pronounce the Most Difficult French Words

Ready to tackle some of the most notoriously difficult French words to pronounce? It’s time to flex those linguistic muscles and push your pronunciation skills

French Prepostion Chez: At someone’s place

One of the trickiest aspects of the language can be mastering French prepositions. The French preposition chez is used to indicate that someone is “at”

Enchaînement: Connecting French Sounds

As a French speaker, using enchaînement in French is key to achieving a natural and fluent French. Enchaînement is the glue that binds the sounds

How to Pronounce Luxury Brands in French?

Are you a fashion enthusiast struggling to correctly pronounce luxury brand names in French? Look no further! In this French pronunciation guide for luxury brands,

Understanding French Liaison: The Key to Fluent Speaking

Do you want to sound like a native French speaker? Then you need to master the French art of liaison. What is it? Simply put,

Silent French H: Mute and Aspirated

The silent letter h is often causing trouble to French learners. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the “h” mute and

Learn How to Stress French Words Correctly

Are you ready to learn the key to speaking like a native French?  Correctly stressing  French words is an important aspect of speaking French accurately

What Not to Pronounce in French? Silent Letters

The most challenging aspect of learning French is spelling words with silent letters. You know you’ve nailed your French accent once you can tell which

Understanding the French Pronunciation Using IPA

Are you struggling with French pronunciation? When it comes to vowels, do you often struggle with the many nuances of French? What if I told

Diphtongs in French: Pronunciation and Spelling

Are you looking to improve your French pronunciation? To help you learn French diphthongs, we’ll discuss their pronunciation, spelling, and examples in this blog post.

Nasal Vowels in French: Pronunciation and Spelling

Are you struggling with the pronunciation of French nasal vowels?  From the different spelling patterns to the complex sounds they produce, understanding nasal vowels can

French Vowels for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

Vowels in French are notoriously difficult for English speakers because they differ greatly from those in other languages. This guide will teach you everything you

Faire la Bise: All about French Kiss

If you’re wondering how to greet in French, either through handshakes or kisses, you are at the right place. Today, you’ll learn how to navigate

Speaking practice: talk to yourself

Improve your speaking skills with these simple tips on how to practice speaking by talking to yourself. Start speaking confidently today! Read more here. Speaking

Spaced repetition for the German language

Master German faster with spaced repetition! Our blog explains how this powerful technique works and offers tips to incorporate it into your learning routine. What

French Art of Subtle Communication: How to Sound Polite?

Understanding the nuances of French communication can be challenging, but it’s essential to understand that the French place politeness standards are pretty high. From the

What does TE AMO mean in Spanish?

Discover the romantic meaning behind Te Amo, the Spanish phrase for ‘I love you’. Explore its cultural significance and usage in everyday life. Te Amo

What are the 10 most spoken languages in the world?

Discover the top 10 most spoken languages in the world with our informative blog. Learn about their origins, unique features, and cultural significance. The most

What does JE T’AIME mean in French?

Discover the meaning and cultural significance of “Je t’aime,” the famous French expression for “I love you.” Explore its nuances and usage in this blog.

What does ICH LIEBE DICH mean in German?

Discover the meaning and cultural significance of ‘Ich liebe dich’ in German. Explore its nuances and usage in this insightful blog post. “Ich liebe dich”

Think Languages LLC

1309 Coffeen Ave, Suite 1200, Sheridan WY, USA, 82801

+1 917 9937880

French translation of 'welcome'

Browse Collins English collocations welcome

Examples of 'welcome' in a sentence welcome, browse alphabetically welcome.

• welcome back!
• welcome ceremony
• welcome gift
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'W'

Related terms of welcome

• you’re welcome!
• a warm welcome
• View more related words

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Score: 0 / 5

Wordle Helper

Scrabble Tools

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Master French Phone Conversations: 70+ Key Vocabulary Words, Phrases and Example Dialogues

Talking on the phone is an art.

Whether it be to  help you do your job or to easily socialize with your cool new French friends, having a natural, smooth-flowing phone conversation will require thinking quickly on your feet.

So in this post, we’re going to help you remain cool, calm and collected while having French phone conversations. We’ve included key vocabulary and phrases and example phone dialogues, so you’ll have all you need to perfect this important skill.

How to Have Flawless French Phone Conversations

Phone call greetings, getting connected to the right person, asking who’s on the line, holding during a french phone call, technical difficulties on french phone calls, ending a french phone conversation, french phone vocabulary, sample french phone conversations, casual phone dialogues, formal phone dialogues, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

• Allô ?   (Hello?)

Easy peasy, and almost exactly like the English, with a cute little hat on the “o.”

• [Name of office/company],  bonjour.  ([Name of office/company], hello.)

In more formal environments like the business world , for example, answering the phone requires taking it up a notch. If you call the bank or Internet service provider, you’re likely to hear something like “ Société Générale, bonjour”  (Société Général, hello) or “ Bouygues Telecom, bonjour” (Bouygues Telecom, hello).

In an ideal world, we’d reach the person we’d like to speak to immediately. More often, though, you have to pass through an intermediary. In casual conversations, this may mean talking to a parent, sibling or partner. In more formal contexts, you’ll often have to go through a secretary.

• Bonjour, c’est [Y], [X] est là/disponible? (Hello, it’s [Y], is [X] there/available?)
• Puis-je parler à [X]?   (May I please speak to [X]?)
• Je voudrais parler à [X].  (I would like to speak to [X].)
• Est-ce le bureau de [X]?   (Is this [X]’s office?)

Asking who is on the line in the age of caller ID may seem like a thing of the past, but you know how it goes. People forget to save numbers, phones get lost, phones break and numbers change. C’est la vie (That’s life).

Regardless of how well you may or may not know a person, if their identity is temporarily unknown, it’s best to be polite (dare I say formal) rather than grunting a (very) casual “ C’est qui ?” (Who is it?). Here are two alternatives:

• Qui est à l’appareil ?  (Who is on the phone?)

Un appareil is French for a device, and in the contexts of phone conversations, it refers to the phone.

• C’est de la part de qui ?  (Who is calling/speaking, please?)

More broadly speaking, the expression “ de la part de”  means “on behalf of.”

They say that patience is a virtue. I believe this to be especially true when you’re forced to listen to hold music (which I’ve been led to believe is the same all over the world, thanks to extensive personal research).

• Ne quitte pas.   (Please hold.)
• Je te le/la passe.   (I’ll put you through (to him or her).)
• Merci de vouloir patienter quelques instants.  (Wait a moment, please.)
• Veuillez patienter, s’il vous plaît.   (Be so kind as to wait please.)

Note that veuillez is the second person plural imperative form of vouloir (to want).

• Ne quittez pas (la ligne).  (Please hold.)
• Je vous le/la passe.   (I’ll put you through (to him or her).)
• La ligne est occupée.   (The line is busy.)

Can you hear me now? Unfortunately, dropped calls and spotty reception are things cell phone users know all too well. Let’s take a look at how to handle such inconveniences in French.

• Je ne capte pas très bien.   (My reception isn’t very good.)

C apter is a verb with several meanings. In addition to “to receive a signal,” as in the case of a phone’s reception, it can also mean “to attract attention,” “to tap” a resource such as water, or in more informal contexts capter can also mean “to understand” or “to grasp.”

• Ça coupe.  (You’re breaking up.)

Ça, a contraction of cela, meaning “this” or “that,” is an indefinite demonstrative pronoun .  Here, ça refers to “this connection.”

• Je ne t’entends pas.   (I don’t hear you.)
• La connexion est de mauvaise qualité.  (The connection is bad.)
• Nous avons été coupés.   (We were disconnected.)
• Pouvez-vous répéter cela?  (Can you repeat that?)

Use the above line instead of screaming “ Quoi ?” (What?) at your interlocutor.

• Salut   (Bye.)

In French,  salut can also work as the casual greeting of “hi” or “hey” instead of bonjour (hello, good morning).

• Allez, ciao/bises.   (Alrighty, ciao/kisses.)

In French, allez is often used as an expression of finality, which makes it a bit difficult to translate into English but it roughly translates to “alright” or “alrighty” in the above instance.

• À tout (à l’heure).   (See you (later).)
• Au revoir.   (Goodbye.)
• Bonne journée, au revoir.  (Have a nice day, goodbye.)

• Un annuaire — Phone book
• Un numéro — Telephone number
• Une sonnerie (de téléphone) — Ringtone
• Un répondeur — Answering machine
• Un répertoire —  Contacts
• Une tonalité — Dial tone
• Appeler — To call
• Composer un numéro — To dial a number
• Décrocher — To pick up
• Laisser un message — To leave a message
• Patienter — To wait
• Raccrocher — To hang up
• Rappeler — To call back
• Sonner — To ring
• Recevoir un appel — To receive a call
• Passer un appel — To make a call
• Téléphone portable — Cell phone / Mobile phone
• Téléphone fixe — Landline phone
• Appel en absence — Missed call
• Mettre en haut-parleur — To put on speakerphone
• Carte SIM — SIM card
• Écouter un message — To listen to a message
• Passer en mode silencieux — To put on silent mode
• Couper la sonnerie — To mute the ringer
• Joindre quelqu’un — To get in touch with someone
• Communication — Call
• Communication internationale — International call
• Communication locale — Local call

Did you know that in French, phones don’t go ring ring but rather dring dring ? Anyway! Now that you’ve learned some lines, let’s look at some examples, shall we?

Dring dring !

M. Durand: Allô ? (Hello?)

Paul: Allô, c’est Paul, Michel est là ? (Hello, it’s Paul; is Michel there?)

M. Durand: Ah, Paul ! Tu vas bien ? Oui, Michel est dans le salon. Je te le passe. (Ah, Paul! How are you doing? Yes, Michel is in the living room. I’ll put you through.)

Paul: Merci (Thank you)

Michel: Salut mec, ça va ? (Hey, dude, how’s it going?)

Paul:   Ça va et toi ? (Everything’s good and you?)

Michel: Ça roule. (Everything’s good.)

Paul:  Écoute, je pense avoir oublié mes crampons chez toi. Tu peux regarder dans ta chambre ? ( Listen, I think I forgot my soccer cleats at your house. Can you look in your room?)

Michel: Pas de souci. Attends une seconde . (No worries. Hold on a second.)

—2 minutes plus tard (Two minutes later)—

Michel:  Ouais, ils sont là. Je te les ramène demain. (Yeah, they’re here. I’ll bring them to you tomorrow).

Paul: Cool, merci. À demain, alors.  (Cool, thanks. See you tomorrow then.)

Michel:   À demain, salut. (See you tomorrow, bye).

Now let’s take a look at a conversation where things go a little less smoothly.

Elise: Allô ?  (Hello)

Sarah: Allô, Elise ? C’est Sarah. Ça va ? (Hello, Elise. It’s Sarah. How it’s going?)

Elise: Oui et toi ? (Good and you?)

Sarah: Oui je suis à la campagne chez ma tante. Je capte très mal ici. (Yes, I am in the countryside at my aunt’s house. My reception is really bad here.)

Elise: Allô ? Allô ? Sarah, tu es toujours là ? (Hello? Hello? Are you still there, Sarah?)

Sarah: Oui mais ça coupe. (Yes, but you’re breaking up.)

Sarah: Je te rappellerai plus tard. Ça marche ? (I will call you later. Does that work?)

Elise: Oui, ça marche. (Yes, that works.)

Sarah: D’accord . Bises, à toute ! (Ok. Kisses! Until later!)

Secrétaire: Cabinet medical de Belleville, bonjour. (Belleville Doctor’s office, hello).

Mme Martin: Bonjour, je vous appelle pour prendre rendez-vous avec le docteur Boisaubert . (Hello, I am calling to schedule an appointment with Doctor Boisaubert.)

Secrétaire: D’accord. Ne quittez pas. (Ok. Please hold.)

Quelques instants plus tard (A few moments later)

Secretaire: Merci d’avoir patienté. Le docteur Boisaubert est disponible demain à 14h et jeudi à 9h30. Quel créneau horaire vous conviendrait ? (Thank you for waiting. Doctor Boisaubert is available tomorrow at 2 p.m. and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Which time slot works for you?)

Mme Martin: Demain à 14h me convient. (Tomorrow at 2 p.m. works for me.)

Secrétaire: Votre nom, madame ? (Your last name, ma’am?)

Mme Martin: Martin. Et le prénom c’est Elisabeth. (Martin. And the first name is Elisabeth.)

Secrétaire: D’accord Madame Martin. Je confirme votre rendez-vous avec le docteur Boisaubert pour demain à 14h. (Ok Mrs. Martin. I have booked your meeting with Doctor Boisaubert for tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

Mme Martin: Merci beaucoup. (Thank you very much.)

Secrétaire: Je vous en prie. Bonne journée, au revoir . (You are welcome. Have a nice day, goodbye.)

Mme Martin: De même, au revoir. (You too, goodbye.)

And to think that some people say scheduling appointments is a hassle! Now, let’s take a look at a formal phone conversation in which the person of interest is unavailable.

Dring dring

Secrétaire: Relations publiques, bonjour. (Public relations, hello.)

M. Portier: Bonjour, Jean Giraud à l’appareil. Puis-je parler à Jean-Bernard Watteau ? (Hello, Jean Giraud speaking. May I please speak to Jean-Bernard Watteau?)

Secrétaire: Veuillez patienter, s’il vous plâit. (Be so kind as to wait, please.)

—Quelques instants plus tard (A few moments later)—

Secrétaire: Monsieur Giraud ? Je suis désolé(e). Monsieur Watteau est en réunion. Voulez-vous laisser un message ? (Mr. Giraud? I’m sorry, Mr. Watteau is in a meeting. Do you want to leave a message?)

M. Portier:   Je vais le rappeler à un autre moment. Merci beaucoup. (I will call him back at another time. Thank you very much.)

Sécretaire: Je vous en prie. Bonne journée, au revoir.  (You are welcome. Have a nice day, goodbye.)

M. Portier: Bonne journée à vous aussi, au revoir. (Have a nice day as well, goodbye.)

It may seem like a lot to master, but practicing multiple times and seeing these French phone conversations in context will help the words and phrases stick for the long-term.

Practice alone as much as needed so that you know exactly when and how to say what. Mime along to French dialogues to loosen up your tongue and build up your skills. Have pretend conversations with yourself. You can even role-play various realistic situations and hold a phone to your ear through it all to really sell it!

Wherever your adventures in French phone conversations may take you—dropped calls, missed calls and more—you’re bound to be a smooth operator.

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Enter your e-mail address to get your free PDF!

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe

Short Welcome Speech

“Greetings and Salutations to each and every one of you. My name is Mr. John Smith and I welcome you all to this amazing event.” Now, did that sound familiar? Making welcome speeches for any type of event whether it is for school activities, welcoming important people or even during an important meeting with new people. Don’t worry, this article is going to help you with making a good short welcome speech for an event, for school or for welcoming a chief guest. You are going to get some examples, basically 10+ examples for short welcome speeches, and some tips on making a good short welcome speech and how to present it. Check it out right now.

10+ Short Welcome Speech Examples

1. short welcome celebration speech.

Size: 66 KB

2. Formal Short Welcome Speech

Size: 153 KB

3. Short Welcome Chief Guest Speech

Size: 136 KB

4. Sample Short Welcome Speech

Size: 99 KB

5. Short Welcome Conference Speech

Size: 188 KB

6. Short Welcome Speech Format

Size: 101 KB

7. Short Welcome Dinner Speech

Size: 182 KB

8. Short Welcome Directors Speech

Size: 510 KB

9. Short Welcome Education Speech

Size: 22 KB

10. Short Welcome Governor Speech

Size: 163 KB

11. Short Welcome Speech Example

Size: 76 KB

The Definition of a Welcome Speech

A welcome speech as the name suggests, is a type of speech that is mostly given by the host or hosts at the beginning of an event or a ceremony. This is where the speaker is showing some gratitude and appreciation for the people who took their time to attend the event. Welcome speeches are mostly used in school events, church events, wedding events, or any type of event that a lot of people attend too.

The Importance of Welcome Speeches

One of the most important things to remember when making welcome speeches is the fact that this is your way of captivating your audiences. This may depend on how well you deliver the speech to draw your audience in to listen. Another thing to remember is that a welcome speech should not be too long or too short. Not too short to forget to mention your guests, nor too long that it drags on.

Tips to Write Short Welcome Speeches

As we all know, welcome speeches can either turn boring or fun, depending on how they are prepared. Nobody wants to hear a speech that is too boring or too long. So to avoid issues like that, here are some tips to write short welcome speeches, followed by tips to present your short welcome speeches.

Tips for writing short welcome speeches

• Prepare – start by simply preparing. The question here is to prepare what. Start by thinking about what you want to write. What event are you attending that needs a short introduction?
• Draft – the next thing you should do is to make a draft of your welcome speech. Start with the important details. For example, if you are attending a church event , remember to write the names of the important people. If you are attending a graduation event, the honored guests’ names must be written as well.
• Choice of Words – Pick your words carefully when writing a short welcome speech. Add some lively details to it but also keep it simple. You are only welcoming people and thanking them for coming . The welcome speech is not used as the main course, but merely an appetizer to the whole event.
• Revise – After you have written it down, check your whole speech. Make sure the details are there as well as the correct spelling and word usage.
• Tone – The tone of your writing should match the event you are attending. If it is a lively event, make it as lively as possible, if it is a depressing event, make sure it is as well.

Tips on presenting your welcome speech

• Voice – Your voice should not be too loud nor too soft. Rather, it is enough to be heard from the back.
• Practice – Practice on doing your speech before the actual event. Ask someone to give you feedback on how well you presented yourself and work from there.
• Maintain Eye Contact – remember when talking to people you must make eye contact. Let your audience feel you are happy to see them attend the event.
• Posture – How you bring yourself when making the welcome speech can say a lot of things. So it is best to stand up straight, be confident, and welcome your guests with a smile.

How many paragraphs does it take to make a short welcome speech?

Just one short paragraph. Welcome speeches are not supposed to be too long or too short. A simple 4 to 5 sentences will do, as long as the necessary details are there.

Is there a shortcut to making welcome speeches?

There is no shortcut but with practice you are able to be good at it in no time.

How do I make my short welcome speech less boring?

Watch your tone, your word usage and how you present yourself and when you read your welcome speech.

“Greetings ladies and gentlemen” this may not be much of a head turner, but it’s a start. How you present your welcome speech also matters. Being familiar with the tips on writing and the tips of giving the speech may help you in the long run. There are no shortcuts to making the best speeches, but with a lot of practice and experiences, giving welcome speeches would be a breeze.

Short Welcome Speech Generator

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a short welcome speech for a community meeting

Help me write a short welcome speech for a workshop

Search the United Nations

04 april 2024, secretary-general's message on the international day of mine awareness and assistance in mine action [scroll down for french version].

Landmines and explosive ordnance and remnants of war directly threaten millions of people caught up in armed conflicts around the world — from Afghanistan to Myanmar to Sudan to Ukraine to Colombia to Gaza.

Even after the fighting ends, these deadly devices can contaminate communities for decades to come, posing a daily and deadly danger to women, men and children alike, and blocking vital humanitarian and development assistance.

The brave mine action personnel of the United Nations work with partners to remove these deadly weapons, ensure that people can travel safely in their communities, and provide education and threat assessments to keep people and humanitarian workers safe.

This year’s theme — Protecting Lives, Building Peace — reminds us of the need to safeguard those at particular risk, including people living with disabilities.

I also call on Member States to support the United Nations Mine Action Strategy, and ratify and fully implement the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Country by country, community by community, let’s rid the world of these weapons, once and for all.   ***** Les mines terrestres, les engins explosifs et les restes de guerre sont une menace directe pour des millions de personnes piégées dans des conflits armés dans le monde entier, que ce soit en Afghanistan, au Myanmar, au Soudan, en Ukraine, en Colombie ou à Gaza.

Même après la fin des combats, ces engins de mort continuent de mettre en péril les populations pendant des décennies, exposant chaque jour femmes, hommes et enfants à un danger mortel et faisant obstacle à l’aide humanitaire et à l’aide au développement dont ces personnes ont besoin pour vivre.

En collaboration avec leurs partenaires, les courageux spécialistes de la lutte antimines de l’ONU s’emploient à éliminer ces armes mortelles, à veiller à ce que les gens puissent se déplacer en toute sécurité et à mener des activités de sensibilisation et d’évaluation de la menace afin de garantir la sécurité des civils et des travailleurs humanitaires.

Le thème de cette année – « Protéger des vies, construire la paix   » – nous rappelle la nécessité de protéger les personnes particulièrement exposées, notamment les personnes handicapées.

J’engage également les États Membres à soutenir la stratégie de l’ONU en matière de lutte antimines et à ratifier et mettre pleinement en œuvre la Convention sur l’interdiction des mines antipersonnel, la Convention sur les armes à sous-munitions et la Convention sur certaines armes classiques.

Pays par pays, région par région, débarrassons le monde de ces armes une fois pour toutes.

• Daily Schedule
• Appointment Process
• Role of the Secretary-General
• Former Secretaries-General
• Official Travels
• Deputy Secretary-General
• Senior Management Group
• Global Leadership
• Messengers of Peace
• Annual Report on the Work of the Organization
• Coordinator for Multilingualism
• Public Disclosure
• Opinion pieces/Op-eds
• Secretariat
• Department of Global Communications
• Spokesperson's Office
• Scientific Advisory Board