Here Are 30 Different Ways to Express Appreciation in French (With Audio)

The French word for "thank you" is "merci" (mair voir). However, it is not the only option. What about saying "thank you"? "or expressing your appreciation in French audio recording

So, let's look at the various ways to say "Thank you" in French.

This piece includes audio recordings. To hear me say that word or sentence in French, click the blue text next to the headphone.

Please keep in mind that I used a modern spoken French pronunciation whenever possible.

In French, please say thank you.

In French, the most common word for "thank you" or "thanks" is "merci."

It's pronounced "mair see" (no "mur" sound here). ) We don't say "merci tu" like I sometimes hear students say, so keep that in mind.

"Merci" nuanced

You could say "thank you" in French like this:

Keep an eye out for "merci bien." It's common in France, but it's frowned upon in the upper classes. So I recommend that you stick with "merci beaucoup."

As with saying hello in French, it's always more polite to end your thank you with "Monsieur, Madame, or Mademoiselle" or the person's name.

1. Thank you, Madame.
2. Thank you, Mademoiselle.
3. Thank you, Monsieur.
4. Thank you, Pierre.

Madame or Mademoiselle Even though the distinction is no longer used in administrative forms and letters, it is still widely used when speaking.

In French Slang, thank you

You've probably heard of "verlan," a French slang term that means "inverting the syllables of a word."

So, in French, we say "cimer" for "thank you." Verlan is not a new slang term, but saying "cimer" is. It's popular among today's youth, but it wasn't when I was younger.

A word of caution about slang: while it may sound natural, hip, and cool in the mouth of a native French speaker, it frequently sounds contrived or even strange in the mouth of a foreigner. Furthermore, it is very easy to make a "faux pas" by using slang in an inappropriate situation.

For example, as I write this, I am 48 years old. I can't imagine saying "cimer" because it would sound absurd coming from me.

"merki" is another way to say "thank you" in French. This is French pop culture: it comes from a French comedian, Elie Semoun, whose character Micheline (Mikeline) pronounced the s and ch like k. His 2009 live show was titled "Merki."

This would only make sense if used with a younger audience, but if a foreigner dropped a "merki" to the right audience, they'd probably be taken aback.

In French, please accept my gratitude.

If you wanted to express your gratitude in French to a specific person or group, you would use the preposition "à" after your "merci."

1. "Merci à toi" (Thank you to you) - informal Note the difference in intent: "merci" simply means "thank you," whereas "merci à toi" is an emphasis. You insist on thanking this individual. I'd use it in a conversation like this:

   – merci Thank you, Non thank you

   No, I'm the one who thanks you.

2. "Thank you very much."
   Thanks to you - formal or plural - my article explains tu versus vous.
3. "Thank you to everyone."
   Thank you very much.
4. "Thank you, Pierre."
   Thank you very much, Pierre.

Thank You For...

In French, you'd use the preposition "pour" to thank someone for something, which is the same as in English.

Thank you for the chocolates.
Thank you very much for the chocolates.

However, if what follows thank you is a French verb, it is the preposition "de."

Thank you for responding so quickly.
Thank you for your prompt response.

Thank you in French

The verb "remercier" is another way to say "thank you."

Because the verb "remercier" has an "i" stem, the final sound is often a vowel, just like the verb "étudier."

It is usually followed by the preposition "pour," just as "thank you" is usually followed by "for" in English.

In French, using "remercier" is much more formal than using "merci."

Thank you in French.

When discussing thanks, the noun, you'd use the noun "le/les remerciement(s)," which is usually used in the plural.

Gratefulness in French

To express gratitude in French, use the phrase "être reconnaissant(e)."

The following preposition is a little tricky: "pour" / "de" something

- "envers" someone (occasionally "à," but I don't like how it sounds) It may be out of date now.)