merci d'avoir demandé
In French, 'thanks for asking' is merci d'avoir demandé.
This is a polite expression used to thank someone for showing interest in your well-being or for inquiring about a situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally translated as 'thanks for having asked'. It uses the past infinitive avoir demandé to indicate that the action of asking has already occurred.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to specify that they asked you a specific question, you can use the form merci de m'avoir posé la question.
Did you know?
- The word merci was not always an expression of gratitude. It originally comes from the Latin word mercēdem, which meant 'wages' or 'a fee'.
- In many English-speaking contexts, 'thanks for asking' can sometimes sound sarcastic or dismissive. In French, using the formal merci d'avoir demandé is almost always a sincere, polite gesture that shows genuine appreciation for the interlocutor's politeness.
- The verb demander in this phrase is a 'false friend' to many English speakers. While it means 'to ask' in the sense of inquiring, it can also mean 'to demand' or 'to request' a physical object or service.
Examples in context
- Je vais bien, merci d'avoir demandé.I am doing well, thanks for asking.
- Merci d'avoir demandé, je vais mieux.Thanks for asking, I am feeling better.
- Tout va bien, merci d'avoir demandé.Everything is fine, thanks for asking.
- Je suis un peu fatigué, merci d'avoir demandé.I am a bit tired, thanks for asking.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are catching up at a cafe.
- LucasComment vas-tu aujourd'hui, Emma ?How are you doing today, Emma?
- EmmaÇa va bien, merci d'avoir demandé, Lucas.I am doing well, thanks for asking, Lucas.
- LucasTu as l'air en forme !You look great!
- EmmaOui, j'ai bien dormi.Yes, I slept well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries merci, CC BY-SA 4.0.
