je vous en prie
The French phrase “je vous en prie” means “you’re welcome,” but it carries several additional meanings depending on the context.
Meanings of “Je vous en prie”
The phrase “je vous en prie” is a polite expression that can serve several functions in French. Here are the main uses:
1. You’re welcome
This is the most common use, especially in formal contexts.
- Example:
- Merci beaucoup pour votre aide.
(Thank you very much for your help.) - Je vous en prie.
(You’re welcome.)
In this sense, it is more formal than “de rien” or “pas de problème.”
2. Please / I insist
Used when offering something or encouraging someone to do something — essentially telling them “go ahead,” or “please, be my guest.”
- Example:
- Entrez, je vous en prie.
(Come in, please.) - Asseyez-vous, je vous en prie.
(Sit down, I insist.)
This usage is common when showing politeness or hospitality.
3. After you / Go ahead
This is an extension of the “please” meaning, often used in social or professional situations.
- Example:
- (Holding a door open) Je vous en prie.
(After you.)
4. No problem / Don’t mention it
Sometimes, it serves to downplay a favor or reassure someone that something was not a bother.
- Example:
- Je suis désolé de vous avoir dérangé.
(I’m sorry to have bothered you.) - Je vous en prie, ce n’est rien.
(No problem at all, don’t mention it.)
Etymology of “Je vous en prie”
Let’s break the phrase down grammatically:
- je = I
- vous = you (formal or plural)
- en = about it / of it
- prie = pray / beg (1st person singular of “prier”)
Originally, “je vous en prie” meant something like “I beg you for it” or “I ask it of you” — a very polite and formal way to request something. Over time, its usage broadened and softened to include thanking, inviting, and politely offering.
The word “prier” (to pray) in older French could mean to ask earnestly, not just in a religious context. The structure reflects a more deferential and formal way of speaking, characteristic of older polite French.
“Je t’en prie” — The Informal Version
The expression “je t’en prie” is the informal version of “je vous en prie,” using “tu” instead of “vous.” The meaning is the same, but it’s used in casual contexts with friends, family, or peers.
- Example:
- Merci pour le café.
(Thanks for the coffee.) - Je t’en prie.
(You’re welcome.)
You can also hear it used with a touch of sarcasm or irony in certain tones, much like English “you’re so welcome” — though context and intonation are key.
Comparison with Other Expressions
| French Expression | Meaning in English | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Je vous en prie | You’re welcome / Please | Formal / Polite |
| Je t’en prie | You’re welcome / Please | Informal |
| De rien | It’s nothing | Neutral / Informal |
| Pas de problème | No problem | Informal |
| Il n’y a pas de quoi | Don’t mention it | Informal / Neutral |
