The reply half of politeness
The course has taught you merci and s'il vous plaît. What it has not taught you is what to say back, or how to say any of it to someone you call tu.
tu or vous — it changes the words
Every politeness formula in French comes in two registers, and picking the wrong one is more noticeable than a grammar mistake.
| to someone you call vous | to someone you call tu |
|---|---|
| s'il vous plaît | s'il te plaît |
| excusez-moi | excuse-moi |
| je vous en prie | de rien |
S'il te plaît is the same words as s'il vous plaît with the pronoun swapped: literally if it pleases you. The same swap runs through excusez-moi / excuse-moi.
| Excuse me, sir, I am looking for a hotel. | Excusez-moi, Monsieur, je cherche un hôtel. |
Answering merci
English has one you're welcome. French has two, and they are not equally formal. De rien — literally of nothing — is the everyday reply. Je vous en prie is the polite one, and it is what a waiter, a shop assistant or a stranger will say to you.
| Thank you very much, sir. You're welcome. | Merci beaucoup, Monsieur. Je vous en prie. |
Sorry, of course, and good wishes
Désolé is sorry for something you regret; pardon and excusez-moi are for interrupting or getting past someone. A woman writes désolée, with an extra -e.
Bien sûr is of course — the standard way to agree to a request.
French wishes people things constantly, and always with bon or bonne plus a noun. You have already met bonne journée; the same frame gives bon appétit before a meal, bon week-end on a Friday, and bon voyage to anyone leaving.
| Dinner is ready. Enjoy your meal! | Le dîner est prêt. Bon appétit ! |
