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How to Say ‘Oh, thanks, that's sweet!’ in French

Oh, merci, c'est gentil !

oh mair-see suh eh zhahn-tee

[oh mair-see suh eh zhahn-tee]

🇫🇷 In France: A warm but noncommittal way to accept a compliment. It's friendly without signalling interest either way.

Phrase Breakdown

Oh, merci,

oh mair-see

Oh, thank you,

A spontaneous thank-you. The 'r' in 'merci' is the French throat 'r'.

Example

Oh, merci, je ne m'y attendais pas.

Oh, thank you, I wasn't expecting that.

Words in this phrase

[oh]

An expression of surprise or realization.

Example

Oh, je comprends maintenant.

Oh, I understand now.

merci

[mair-see]

thank you

A polite expression of one's gratitude.

Example

Merci pour votre aide.

Thank you for your help.

c'est gentil !

suh eh zhahn-tee

that's kind!

A friendly reply to a compliment. The 'l' of 'gentil' is silent.

Example

Tu m'aides ? C'est gentil !

You're helping me? That's kind!

Words in this phrase

[suh]

Used to refer to a thing previously mentioned.

Example

C'est incroyable.

It is incredible.

est

[eh]

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

gentil

[zhahn-tee]

kind / nice

Adjective used to describe someone as kind or nice.

Example

Après une aide, je peux dire : « C'est gentil ».

After some help, I can say: “That's kind.”

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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