je vous en prie
/ʒə vu.z‿ɑ̃ pʁi/
In French, "you're most welcome" is expressed as je vous en prie.
This phrase is a polite way to respond to someone who has thanked you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I pray you of it" or "I beg of you of it".
Which one should you use?
While je vous en prie is highly formal, de rien (meaning "it's nothing") is a much more casual and common way to say you're welcome.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Je vous en prie is a formal and polite way to say "you're welcome". For informal situations, you can use De rien or Il n'y a pas de quoi, which translates to "There is no need for thanks."
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to a friend or someone you address with the informal tu, you should use je t'en prie instead of the formal je vous en prie.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒə vu.z‿ɑ̃ pʁi/
Did you know?
- Beyond just being a polite response, je vous en prie is used as a gesture of invitation. If you hold a door open for someone, saying this phrase acts as a way of saying 'please, go ahead'.
- Even though it sounds like a religious blessing, je vous en prie is a standard secular way to show politeness in everyday formal life.
- While je vous en prie is the height of politeness, using it in a very casual setting with a close friend can sometimes be perceived as ironic or jokingly stiff.
Examples in context
- Merci beaucoup d'avoir préparé le dîner. De rien, c'était avec plaisir.Thank you very much for preparing dinner. You're welcome, it was my pleasure.
- J'apprécie vraiment ton aide. Il n'y a pas de quoi, nous sommes amis après tout.I really appreciate your help. There is no need for thanks, we're friends after all.
- Je vous en prie.You're most welcome.
- Non, je vous en prie, c'est tout naturel.No, you're most welcome, it is only natural.
- Je vous en prie, c'était un plaisir.You're most welcome, it was a pleasure.
Example conversation
A customer is thanking a shop assistant for her help.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup pour votre aide, Manon.Thank you very much for your help, Manon.
- ManonJe vous en prie, Gabriel.You're most welcome, Gabriel.
- GabrielC'est très gentil de votre part.That is very kind of you.
- ManonTout le plaisir est pour moi.The pleasure is all mine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry je vous en prie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
