Ron Avery Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 EDIT: TITLE SHOULD READ BEAUCOUPAt school I was tuaght to say MERCY and if good service given, "MERCY BOW COO", but I notice that a lot of French use merci bien, even on the news tonight a French Minister was told "merci bien" when leaving a meeting. Is there a difference or is just a preference or even regional variation, am opinion by French nationals would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 Merci beacoup (thank you very much) is more formal if you like. Merci bien is more like "thanks a lot". That's how I have always seen it here. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 There's a short phrase which is said in reply to " merci..." which means something like " you're welcome" or don't mention it" etc. But I can't remember it. Any ideas? Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted September 18, 2005 Author Share Posted September 18, 2005 " pas rien"?? EDIT Sorry meant DE rien I shall now go and and in the corner with my D hat on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Sounds like "Je vous en prie". Doc always says this to me after I have said "Merci docteur" as I leave his surgery. I think it can be used to mean "After you" in a doorway or as a reply to something like "May I come in" "Please do".............John not Jackie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzyliz Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 In answer to 'merci', you can say 'De rien' or 'Pas de quoi', as well as 'Je vous en prie'. (I have never heard 'pas rien'.) They are the French equivalents of 'Not at all', 'You're welcome', etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bixy Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 In response to a thank you I have also heard "c'est moi...". Presumably meaning it's me who should thankyou. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantine<br><br><br><br>Susie Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 "je vous en prie" and "c'est moi" are usually used by those people who are employed to do the job that you have thanked them for - shop workers, doctors, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 " Je vous en prie" - that's the one I was trying to remember. Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourangelle Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 il n' y a pas de quoi is relâché, not vulgar, but not great French, not one to say to M. le maire for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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