merci pour le repas
The English phrase 'thank you for the food' is translated into French as merci pour le repas.
This phrase is typically used at the end of a meal to express gratitude to the host or the person who cooked.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase translates literally to 'thank you for the meal', where repas means 'meal'.
Which one should you use?
While merci pour la nourriture translates to 'thank you for the food' in a general sense, merci pour le repas is the more natural way to thank someone for a prepared meal.
Did you know?
- The word merci shares a common root with the English word 'mercy'. In Latin, the original word mercēdem referred to a 'wage' or 'fee'.
- While merci pour le repas is common, French speakers often use the phrase c'était délicieux ('it was delicious') as a primary way to thank the host.
- While merci pour le repas is used at the table, French speakers might say merci pour l'accueil to thank a host for the overall hospitality including the food.
Examples in context
- Merci beaucoup, j'ai vraiment apprécié ce délicieux dîner en votre compagnie.Thank you very much, I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious dinner in your company.
- Merci infiniment pour ce repas succulent, vous êtes un(e) excellent(e) cuisinier(-ère) !Thank you immensely for this succulent meal, you are an excellent cook!
- Merci pour le repas, c'était délicieux.Thank you for the meal, it was delicious.
- On dit merci pour le repas.We say thank you for the meal.
- Un grand merci pour le repas de ce soir.A big thank you for tonight's meal.
Example conversation
Chloé is leaving Gabriel's house after dinner.
- ChloéMerci pour le repas, Gabriel !Thank you for the meal, Gabriel!
- GabrielC'était un plaisir, Chloé.It was a pleasure, Chloé.
- ChloéTout était vraiment parfait.Everything was really perfect.
- GabrielÀ bientôt alors !See you soon then!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, merci, pour, repas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
