pas du tout
/pa dy tu/
The French phrase for "not at all" is pas du tout.
pas du tout is used as a conventional reply to an expression of gratitude. It can also function as an adverb meaning "not at all."
Meaning: conventional reply to expression of gratitude (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pas du tout literally translates to "not of the all".
Which one should you use?
While de rien is a common way to say "you're welcome", pas du tout is used specifically to mean "it was no trouble at all" or "not at all" in response to an apology or a thank you.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pa dy tu/
Did you know?
- In older versions of French, speakers used words for 'a drop' goutte or 'a crumb' mie in the same way pas is used today to emphasize a negative.
- In casual spoken French, people often drop the ne from negative sentences, leaving only the pas. This makes pas du tout the primary way to signal a negative response.
- A French speaker might use pas du tout with an exaggerated tone and a hand gesture to show strong disagreement, transforming a polite phrase into a sharp rebuttal.
Examples in context
- Pas du tout !Not at all!This example shows how to use pas du tout as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #1156946 by sacredceltic, translation #1349254 by sacredceltic
- Non, pas du tout.No, not at all.This example shows how to use pas du tout to mean "no, not at all."Tatoeba #3777185 by Joelle, translation #880484 by CK
- Non, pas du tout !Nope, not at all.This example shows how to use pas du tout in a more emphatic way.Tatoeba #1850643 by sacredceltic, translation #1850458 by ryanwhiting
- Est-ce que vous êtes fatigué après votre voyage ?
Pas du tout.Are you tired after your trip?
Not at all. - Vous pensez qu'il a bien fait ?
Loin de là !Do you think he did the right thing?
Not at all! - Tu as peur des chiens ?
Pas du tout ! J'adore les chiens.Are you afraid of dogs?
Not at all! I love dogs. - Tu comptes y aller seul ?
Absolument pas ! Je vais y aller avec des amis.Are you planning to go alone?
Not at all! I'm going with friends. - 65 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon thanks Nathan for helping her carry a heavy box.
- NathanTiens, je t'aide avec ça.Here, I'll help you with that.
- ManonMerci beaucoup, Nathan !Thank you very much, Nathan!
- NathanPas du tout, c'est normal.Not at all, it's only natural.
- ManonC'est vraiment gentil.That is really kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pas du tout, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, pas, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
