What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of merci (thanks), pour (for), votre (your), réponse (response) and rapide (quick/fast).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase merci pour votre réponse rapide is a formal way to say thank you for a prompt response. For a more formal and professional tone in business emails, you can use je vous remercie de votre réponse rapide or even Je vous suis reconnaissant(e) de votre réponse rapide to say you are grateful. You can also use Votre réponse rapide est grandement appréciée to express that a prompt reply is greatly appreciated. Conversely, if you are speaking to friends or close colleagues, you should use the informal version merci pour ta réponse rapide by replacing votre with ta.
How does it change in a sentence?
While merci pour votre réponse rapide is correct, you can also say merci de votre réponse rapide. Replacing pour with de is grammatically correct and is often preferred in formal written correspondence.
Did you know?
- While rapide means 'quick', using it in a professional reply can sometimes be interpreted as a subtle hint that the sender waited a long time for the answer.
- The word merci originally meant 'wages' or 'reward' in Latin, rather than an expression of gratitude. This root stems from the Latin word mercēdem, which related to a fee or price.
- In French correspondence, the choice between merci pour and merci de often depends on whether the favor is already completed or still expected.
Examples in context
- Merci pour votre réponse rapide, Monsieur.Thanks for your prompt reply, sir.
- Merci pour votre réponse rapide concernant le dossier.Thanks for your prompt reply regarding the file.
Example conversation
Léa sends an email to Lucas regarding a job application.
- LéaMerci pour votre réponse rapide, Lucas.Thanks for your prompt reply, Lucas.
- LucasJe vous en prie, Léa.You are welcome, Léa.
- LéaQuand pouvons-nous nous rencontrer ?When can we meet?
- LucasDemain à dix heures me convient.Tomorrow at ten o'clock works for me.
