merci

Merci is the French word for “thank you.” It is the standard expression of gratitude in French-speaking communities and is used in both formal and informal contexts. Variants include merci beaucoup (thank you very much), merci bien, and merci infiniment. In English-speaking settings, merci is often used to evoke French style or politeness.

Etymology traces merci to Old French mercier or merci, ultimately deriving from Latin mercedem meaning “reward” or “wages,” from merces meaning “price” or “reward.” The sense of the word shifted over time from a reference to a reward to an expression of gratitude by the medieval period.

In everyday use, merci is typically uttered after receiving something or as part of a response. It appears in phrases such as merci d’avance (thanks in advance) and can vary in tone from casual to formal depending on context, pronunciation, and accompanying body language.

Outside of language, the term also appears in commerce and popular culture. Notably, merci is the name of a well-known line of chocolates produced by Storck, introduced in the mid-20th century and sold across many European markets. The brand uses the word to convey gratitude toward customers and has become associated with a varied assortment of pralines.

Overall, merci remains one of the best-known French courtesy terms, widely understood beyond French-speaking communities and frequently encountered in both spoken and written contexts.