je vous en prie

French

Etymology

Literally “pray do”, “I beg you (to do so)”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʒə vu.z‿ɑ̃ pʁi/

Phrase

je vous en prie

1. please do, go ahead, be my guest.

   —Puis-je fermer la porte ? —Je vous en prie !

   "Can I close the door?", "Please do!"

2. you're welcome (after being thanked).

Usage notes

• This phrase is more formal than de rien.

Synonyms

• de rien
• je t’en prie (to a person addressed with tu)