Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| merci pour ton aide | /mɛʁ.si puʁ tɔ̃.n‿ɛd/ | informal |
| merci pour votre aide | /mɛʁ.si puʁ vɔ.tʁ‿ɛd/ | formal |
This phrase is used to express gratitude for assistance provided by another person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of merci (thanks), pour (for), ton (your – singular/informal) and aide (help).
Which one should you use?
merci pour ton aide is the informal version, while merci pour votre aide is the formal or plural version. Use the latter when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
merci pour ton aide is informal and should be used when speaking to a friend, a family member or someone you address as tu. merci pour votre aide is formal.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mɛʁ.si puʁ tɔ̃.n‿ɛd/ and consists of 3 syllables.
When do people say it?
When someone says merci pour ton aide, a common informal response is De rien (It's nothing). If you use the formal merci pour votre aide, a polite and formal way to respond is Je vous en prie (You are welcome).
Did you know?
- While merci is used for thanks, the English word 'mercy' shares the same root and refers to the compassion granted by a superior.
- The word merci comes from the Latin word 'mercedem', which meant 'wages' or 'price'.
- In certain regions or specific social contexts, you might hear people say Merci bien as a way to express thanks, though it can sometimes carry a sarcastic or overly-brusque tone depending on the inflection.
Examples in context
- Merci pour ton aide.Thanks for your help.This sentence demonstrates the use of merci pour ton aide.Tatoeba #662872 by U2FS, translation #1465186 by CK
- Un grand merci pour votre aide.A big thanks for your help.This sentence shows a more emphatic way to say thanks using merci pour votre aide.Tatoeba #644147 by qdii, translation #453162 by FeuDRenais
- « Merci pour votre aide. » « Ce n'était rien. »"Thanks for your help." "It was nothing."This example shows a short exchange using merci pour votre aide and a common response.Tatoeba #3485364 by Lulantis, translation #2621197 by Joseph
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are finishing a group project at a cafe.
- HugoJ'ai terminé mon travail.I finished my work.
- ManonSuper, tu as bien travaillé !Great, you worked well!
- HugoMerci pour ton aide, Manon.Thanks for your help, Manon.
- ManonDe rien, Hugo.You're welcome, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thanks for your help” translations and entries merci pour ton aide, merci pour votre aide, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aide, merci, pour, ton, votre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
