Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

Let’s take a closer look at these three conversations.
First, do you remember how Ben Lee says,
"Excuse me."
Excusez-moi.
In this context, Excusez-moi is used to get someone's attention, and translates as "Excuse me." Excusez-moi.
First is excusez, meaning “excuse.” Excusez (enunciated). Excusez.
Excusez is from the verb, excuser, meaning “to excuse.” Excuser.
Next is moi, “me.” Moi (enunciated). Moi.
Together, it’s Excusez-moi. “Excuse me.”
Excusez-moi.
This is a formal expression. Ben uses it because he’s speaking with someone he doesn’t know.
Note: This expression can also be used as a mild apology, but here Ben uses it to get the attention of the person he’s chasing after.
Do you remember how the passenger acknowledges Ben by saying,
"Yes?"
Oui?
Oui? "Yes?" Oui? (enunciated).
Oui?
The second part of the conversation takes place after Ben returns the passenger’s wallet.
Do you remember how the passenger politely says,
"Thank you very much."
Merci beaucoup.
First is Merci, “Thank you.” Merci (enunciated). Merci.
Next is beaucoup, “a lot, so much.” Beaucoup (enunciated). Beaucoup.
All together, Merci beaucoup. "Thank you very much." Merci beaucoup.
Merci beaucoup adds more emphasis when you want to show appreciation. When you simply want to say “Thank you,” Merci is enough.
Do you remember how Ben says,
"You’re welcome."
De rien.
First is De, meaning, “of.” De. De.
Next is rien, “nothing.” Rien. rien.
Together, De rien, means something like “of nothing,” but translates as “You’re welcome.”
De rien.
After the train doors shut and Ben misses his train, do you remember how the passenger apologies to Ben by saying,
"I’m sorry.…"
Je suis désolé.
First is je, "I." Je.
Next is suis, "am," as in “I am.” Suis.
Suis is from the verb, être, meaning "to be." Être.
Together, Je suis, “I’m.” Je suis.
Last is, Désolé “sorry.” Désolé (enunciated). Désolé.
All together, Je suis désolé.“I’m sorry.” Je suis désolé.
Do you remember how Ben replies,
"It's alright."
Ce n'est rien.
This starts with Ce, "this." Ce (enunciated). Ce.
Next is n’est, which means "is not." N’est (enunciated). N’est.
Ne. "Not," Ne.
Est. "Is," Est.
Ne is contracted with est to form n’est.
Last is rien. "Nothing." Rien (enunciated). Rien.
Note, rien is a negative pronoun and must be paired with ne.
All together, Ce n'est rien means something like, "This is nothing," but it translates as "It's alright." Ce n'est rien.
This is a common phrase used to express that things are alright.
In more casual situations, you can remove the contracted form of “ne.”
Ce n'est rien becomes C’est rien.
Note, ce is contracted with est to form c’est for easier pronunciation.
C’est rien (enunciated)
C’est rien.
You can use this expression with friends or family.
In the conversation, you learned De rien. as, “You’re welcome,” in response to Merci, “thank you.”
Je vous en prie. is another way to say “You’re welcome.” Je vous en prie.
Note, this phrase is more formal than De rien.
Je vous en prie can be used like the English “you’re welcome” in response to merci. It means something like “I beg of you [to do something],” but translates as “you’re welcome.” Je vous en prie.
In informal situations, you can say, Je t'en prie.
Here te replaces the more formal vous, and te is contracted with en to form t'en.
Je t'en prie.
In the conversation, you learned Je suis désolé. I’m sorry.
In the case of mild apologies, such as accidentally bumping into someone, the phrases Excusez-moi and Pardon, “Pardon,” are commonly used.

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