merci pour le repas
In French, "thank you for the meal" is expressed as merci pour le repas.
This phrase is typically used when addressing a host or a cook after a meal has concluded.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of merci (thank/thanks), pour (for), le (the) and repas (meal).
Which one should you use?
While merci pour le repas is a standard way to express gratitude, merci pour ce repas (thank you for this meal) is also commonly used to emphasize the specific meal just consumed.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a casual or social setting, it is more natural to say C'était délicieux, merci ! (It was delicious, thank you!) rather than the more formal-sounding merci pour le repas.
Did you know?
- The word merci originally meant 'mercy' or 'reward' rather than 'thanks'. It stems from the Latin word mercēdem, which refers to 'wages' or 'a fee'.
- While merci pour le repas is correct, French speakers often use merci pour l'invitation (thank you for the invitation) as a primary way to thank a host after dinner.
- While you might say merci pour le repas to a cook, a common cultural habit in France is to say Bon appétit! before the meal begins. It is often considered more polite to wish others an appetite than to focus solely on the food itself.
Examples in context
- Elle a dit « Merci pour le repas. » au cuisinier.She said, "Thank you for the meal," to the cook.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use merci pour le repas when speaking to a cook.Tatoeba #418587 by phiz, translation #418573 by phiz
- Je vous remercie pour le repas délicieux.I thank you for the delicious meal.
- Merci pour ce repas succulent.Thank you for this succulent meal.
- C'était un repas délicieux, je vous en suis reconnaissant(e).It was a delicious meal, I'm grateful to you.
- C'était super bon, merci!It was really good, thank you!
- Je te remercie pour le repas, c'était super sympa.I thank you for the meal, it was really nice.
- Merci pour le bon repas!Thank you for the good meal!
- Merci pour le repas, c'était délicieux !Thank you for the meal, it was delicious!
Example conversation
Manon is leaving Hugo's house after dinner.
- ManonMerci pour le repas, Hugo.Thank you for the meal, Hugo.
- HugoDe rien, Manon. Je suis ravi que ça t'ait plu.You're welcome, Manon. I'm glad you liked it.
- ManonTout était vraiment parfait.Everything was truly perfect.
- HugoC'est très gentil, à bientôt !That's very kind, see you soon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, merci, pour, repas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
