What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of merci (thank you), pour (for), votre (your) and sollicitude (care/concern/solicitude).
Which one should you use?
While sollicitude implies emotional care or concern for well-being, the word intérêt is used when thanking someone for their professional or general interest in a matter, such as in the phrase merci de votre intérêt (thank you for your interest).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase merci pour votre sollicitude is quite formal and is often used in professional or highly polite social contexts. For a more formal tone, you can say Je vous suis reconnaissant(e) de votre sollicitude (I am grateful for your concern). If you are in an informal setting with someone you know well, you should replace the formal votre with the informal ta to say merci pour ta sollicitude.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, merci can be followed by either pour or de before a noun. Both merci pour votre sollicitude and merci de votre sollicitude are grammatically correct and used.
Did you know?
- The word merci is actually a descendant of the Latin word for 'wages' or 'price', mercēdem. It is a linguistic quirk that a word once meaning a payment evolved into a universal expression of gratitude.
- Depending on the context, sollicitude can describe a kind of 'over-concern' that borders on being intrusive, which is a nuance not typically found in the English 'concern'.
- In French, the root of sollicitude is shared with the English word 'solicit', but while the English word often implies requesting something, the French sollicitude focuses entirely on the anxiety or care felt for another.
Example conversation
Emma asks Gabriel how he is feeling after a long illness.
- EmmaComment vous sentez-vous aujourd'hui, Gabriel ?How are you feeling today, Gabriel?
- GabrielJe me sens beaucoup mieux, merci pour votre sollicitude.I feel much better, thank you for your concern.
- EmmaJe suis ravie de l'apprendre.I am delighted to hear that.
- GabrielC'est très attentionné de votre part, Emma.That is very thoughtful of you, Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries merci, pour, sollicitude, votre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
