A reader of OffQc asks whether or not it’s possible to hear bienvenue in the sense of you’re welcome.
The answer is yes — not only does bienvenue mean welcome (to this place), but it’s also often used in response to merci with the meaning of you’re welcome.
— Merci.
— Bienvenue!
— Thank you.
— You’re welcome!
To pronounce bienvenue like a francophone, say the word in two syllables:
bienv / nue
I should point out this usage is believed to be a calque on the English you’re welcome, so language purists of course consider it wrong. If you must, or if you prefer, you can use:
de rien
Other ways that come to mind (some of which may also irk purists):
ça fait plaisir
pas d’problème (informal)
pas d’trouble (informal)
c’est ben correct (informal)
y’a rien là (informal)
Of course, if you don’t care what anyone thinks, then go ahead and use bienvenue. (But do keep its use to the conversational level of French; avoid it in formal language.)
Trouble is pronounced spontaneously as troub’. Pas d’trouble literally means no trouble.
Ben sounds like the French word bain; it comes from bien. Correct is pronounced spontaneously as correc’. C’est ben correct literally means it’s very ok (i.e., it means it’s no problem at all).
Know that je vous en prie is very formal.
OffQc turned 5 years old last week. While on the topic of thanks, I’d like to thank all of you for continuing to take time to read OffQc, for commenting and sharing, and for parting with your hard-earned money to buy the OffQc guides. Thank you!
Here’s to a new year of even better mastery in French to all of you. :-D
