What does a short French reply mean? Read the whole exchange

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Understand avec plaisir, je vous en prie and bien reçu through short exchanges. Practise spotting acceptance, thanks, permission and a polite refusal.

B1Practical guide2 min readIn the B1 notebook →

In short

Read the line before a short reply and the words after it. Avec plaisir can mean “I’d love to” after an invitation or “my pleasure” after thanks. A positive opening followed by mais can still introduce a refusal.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out

Two adult friends prepare a small music rehearsal room together, one warmly welcoming the other beside a simple acoustic guitar and empty chairs.
A rehearsal invitation can receive avec plaisir. Illustration: Atelier

How do you understand a short French reply?

Accepter une invitation
  1. Nora

    Tu veux participer à la répétition ?

    Would you like to take part in the rehearsal?

  2. Samir

    Avec plaisir ! À quelle heure ?

    I’d love to! At what time?

Répondre à un remerciement
  1. Nora

    Merci pour ton aide pendant la répétition.

    Thanks for your help during the rehearsal.

  2. Samir

    Avec plaisir !

    My pleasure!

In the first exchange, the rehearsal is still ahead: Samir accepts and asks for a time. In the second, the help has already happened: Samir answers thanks. Translating both replies as “you’re welcome” would lose the acceptance in the first scene.

Use the previous turn to choose the English meaning
Previous turnShort replyMeaning here
Merci pour votre explication.Je vous en prie.You’re welcome.
Puis-je continuer ?Je vous en prie.Please do.
Je peux vous poser une question ?Allez-y.Go ahead.
Tu peux venir demain ?Volontiers.I’d be happy to.

Keep the second half of the reply

Bien reçu. Je le lirai demain.Received. I’ll read it tomorrow.

Focus: Receipt is confirmed; reading is still ahead.

Merci pour votre message. Bien reçu, je le lirai demain.
Thank you for your message. Received; I’ll read it tomorrow.

C’est gentil, mais je ne peux pas venir.That’s kind of you, but I can’t come.

Focus: The speaker appreciates the invitation and declines it.

C’est gentil, mais je ne peux pas venir vendredi.
That’s kind of you, but I can’t come on Friday.

Avec plaisir, mais seulement après quinze heures.I’d be happy to, but only after three o’clock.

Focus: Willingness comes with a time limit.

Je peux t’aider, mais seulement après quinze heures.
I can help you, but only after three o’clock.

Three checks before you translate

A self-review aid, not a grade. Ticks are not saved.

Question 1No account needed
An invitation gets this reply. What is the outcome?C’est gentil, mais je ne peux pas venir.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The invitation is declined.. The refusal after “but” gives the outcome: the speaker cannot come.

Question 2No account needed
What is confirmed by this reply?Bien reçu. Je le lirai demain.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The message has arrived.. The reply confirms receipt. Reading is explicitly planned for tomorrow.

Question 3No account needed
Choose the English meaning of the reply.Puis-je continuer ? — Je vous en prie.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Please do.. The first speaker asks permission to continue, so the reply grants it.

Question 4No account needed
Which detail belongs in the translation?Avec plaisir, mais seulement après quinze heures.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The speaker can help only after three.. The acceptance is limited to a time after three o’clock.

Keep going