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How to Say ‘Not at all!’ in French

Mais pas du tout !

meh pah dew too

[meh pah dew too]

💬 Usage Tip: Mais usually means "but", but here it just adds warmth and emphasis. Compare Mais oui ! "Of course!".

Phrase Breakdown

Mais pas

meh pah

But not / Not at all

'Mais' adds emphasis here. Both final 's' sounds are silent: 'may pa'.

Example

Mais pas maintenant !

But not now!

Words in this phrase

Mais

[meh]

But

Used to introduce a contrast.

Example

Il est petit mais fort.

He is small but strong.

pas

[pah]

not (negation)

Second part of negation in “ne… pas.” Together: “Don’t worry.”

Example

Ne t’inquiète pas, je ne dis rien.

Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything.

du tout !

dew too

at all!

Together with 'pas', it means 'not at all'. Round your lips for 'du', and keep the 't' of 'tout' silent.

Example

Je n'ai pas faim du tout.

I'm not hungry at all.

Words in this phrase

[dew]

at (in 'pas du tout')

Part of 'pas du tout', meaning not at all.

Example

Je ne suis pas du tout fatigué.

I'm not tired at all.

tout

[too]

all (in 'pas du tout')

In 'pas du tout', completes the idea 'not at all'.

Example

Ça ne me dérange pas du tout.

It doesn't bother me at all.

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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