merci, mon amour
The English phrase 'thanks, love' can be translated into French as merci, mon amour.
merci, mon amour is used to thank a romantic partner or someone the speaker loves deeply. It is specifically reserved for people with whom the speaker shares a deep, intimate bond.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of merci (thanks) and mon amour (my love).
Which one should you use?
While the English 'thanks, love' can sometimes be used colloquially by strangers, such as a shopkeeper addressing a customer, merci, mon amour is strictly intimate and would be inappropriate for casual social use with strangers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Merci, mon beau is an informal way to say 'Thanks, handsome'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The possessive adjective mon (my) is used with amour (love) because amour is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- The word merci has a surprising connection to money, as it derives from the Latin word for 'wages' or 'price'.
- In a historical context, saying merci could have meant asking for 'mercy' or a reprieve rather than expressing thanks.
- If you were to use the phrase in a very old French text, you might see it written as 'granz merciz' to express deep gratitude.
Examples in context
- Merci, mon amour, pour les fleurs.Thanks, my love, for the flowers.
- Tu es merveilleux, merci, mon amour.You are wonderful, thanks, my love.
- Merci, mon amour, de m'avoir aidé.Thanks, my love, for helping me.
Example conversation
Nathan helps Léa with the groceries.
- NathanTiens, je t'aide avec les sacs.Here, I'll help you with the bags.
- LéaMerci, mon amour, c'est très gentil.Thanks, love, that's very kind.
- NathanC'est tout naturel, Léa.It's only natural, Léa.
- LéaTu es adorable, Nathan.You are adorable, Nathan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amour, merci, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
