What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je m'excuse, meaning "I excuse myself" and pour le désagrément, meaning "for the inconvenience/displeasure".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In professional business correspondence, it is more standard to use Veuillez nous excuser pour le désagrément (Please excuse us for the inconvenience). Other highly formal variations include Je vous prie de m'excuser pour le désagrément causé and Veuillez accepter mes excuses pour le désagrément.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun désagrément is masculine, which is why it is preceded by the masculine article le.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that strict grammarians in France often consider je m'excuse to be slightly impolite because it can imply that you are forgiving yourself. In highly formal settings, it is better to use je vous prie de m'excuser (I beg you to excuse me) instead.
Did you know?
- Strict French grammarians view the phrase je m'excuse as logically flawed because it literally means 'I excuse myself'. In their view, only the person who was inconvenienced has the authority to grant an excuse.
- In professional French emails, the collective nous is often used in Veuillez nous excuser even if only one person is writing, to represent the entire company.
- The word désagrément shares a root with the English word 'agree', coming from the French agrément meaning 'to please'.
Examples in context
- Je vous prie de m'excuser pour le désagrément causé par ma réponse tardive.I apologize for the inconvenience caused by my late response.
- Je m'excuse pour le désagrément causé par ce retard.I apologize for the inconvenience caused by this delay.
Example conversation
A hotel receptionist is speaking to a guest about a room error.
- GabrielJe m'excuse pour le désagrément, Madame.I apologize for the inconvenience, Madam.
- LéaC'est assez embêtant pour mon séjour.It is quite annoying for my stay.
- GabrielJe vais vous changer de chambre immédiatement.I will change your room immediately.
- LéaMerci, c'est très gentil de votre part.Thank you, that is very kind of you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries désagrément, je, le, pour, CC BY-SA 4.0.
