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How to Say ‘Oh, thank you, that's kind!’ in French

Oh, merci, c'est gentil !

oh mair-see say eh zhahn-tee

[oh mair-see say eh zhahn-tee]

🇫🇷 In France: This is the natural, gracious way to accept a compliment in France. It's warm but doesn't fish for more or brush the compliment off.

Phrase Breakdown

Oh, merci,

oh mair-see

Oh, thank you,

A spontaneous 'oh' followed by 'merci'. Roll the 'r' gently from the throat: 'mehr-see'.

Example

Oh, merci, madame !

Oh, thank you, ma'am!

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 !

say eh zhahn-tee

that's kind!

A friendly way to accept a compliment. The 'l' at the end of 'gentil' is silent.

Example

Vous m'aidez ? C'est gentil !

You're helping me? That's kind!

Words in this phrase

[say]

it / that

Short form of ce before a vowel in c'est.

Example

Je réponds : « C'est gentil ».

I reply: “That's kind.”

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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