merci d'avance
The French phrase for "thank you in advance" is merci d'avance.
merci d'avance is a polite expression used to thank someone for a favor or a task that they have not yet performed. While this is common in English, using merci d'avance in French can sometimes be perceived as slightly presumptive, as if you are assuming the person will definitely do the favor.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of merci (thanks) and d'avance (in advance or ahead of time).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For professional correspondence, Je vous remercie par avance is a more formal alternative. If you are speaking to someone informally, you may use Je te remercie par avance.
Did you know?
- The word merci shares a common ancestor with the English word 'mercy'. Both derive from the Latin 'mercēdem', which originally referred to a 'wage' or 'price' paid to end a conflict.
- In early French, it was common to say grand merci to express deep gratitude. This phrase appeared in texts as early as the 12th century, such as in 'Li coronemenz Looïs'.
- While merci d'avance is used for favors, French has a distinct set of phrases for thanking someone for their 'patience' or 'understanding' that are not interchangeable with merci d'avance.
Examples in context
- Merci d'avance.Thank you in advance.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase merci d'avance.Tatoeba #128975 by sacredceltic, translation #29863 by CK
- Je vous remercie par avance de votre aide précieuse.I thank you in advance for your valuable help.
- Veuillez accepter mes remerciements anticipés pour l'attention que vous porterez à ma demande.Please accept my anticipated thanks for the attention you will give to my request.
- Merci d'avance pour ton aide précieuse.Thanks in advance for your valuable help.
- Je te remercie par avance pour ton temps et ton soutien.I thank you in advance for your time and support.
- Merci d'avance pour ton aide.Thank you in advance for your help.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is asking Manon to check a document for him.
- NathanPeux-tu relire ce texte pour moi, Manon ?Can you proofread this text for me, Manon?
- ManonOui, pas de problème, Nathan.Yes, no problem, Nathan.
- NathanMerci d'avance !Thank you in advance!
- ManonDe rien, je m'en occupe.You're welcome, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries merci, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
