French for Receiving an Apology: Say "It's Okay" and Move On
Learn elementary French phrases to accept an apology, reassure someone, and move on, plus how this differs from apologizing yourself.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When someone apologizes to you in French, you are the receiver, so you need a different set of phrases than "je suis désolé". This lesson teaches you how to say "It's okay, don't worry" and "I appreciate your apology", then how to move on naturally. You will practice short, polite replies for everyday situations such as a friend arriving late, a colleague making a small mistake, or a stranger bumping into you.
By the end, you can…
- accept an apology in French with a short, natural phrase.
- reassure someone and move on without sounding cold or overly formal.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ce n'est pas grave.
It's not serious / It's okay.
suh neh pah grahv
The most common everyday way to say "It's okay" after a small apology. Use it with friends, family, and colleagues.
Pas de problème.
No problem.
pah duh proh-blehm
Very common and neutral. It works in France and in most Francophone regions for small, everyday apologies.
Ne t'inquiète pas.
Don't worry.
nuh tan-kyet pah
Use this with someone you address as tu. It directly reassures the person who apologized.
Ne vous inquiétez pas.
Don't worry.
nuh voo zan-kyet-ay pah
The vous form. Use it with strangers, older people, or in a more formal situation.
J'apprécie tes excuses.
I appreciate your apology.
zhah-pray-see tay zex-kooz
More sincere and a little more formal. Use it when the apology matters to you, with someone you address as tu.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A very useful pattern is "Ce n'est pas..." plus an adjective. "Ce n'est pas grave" means "It's not serious", and "Ce n'est pas un problème" means "It's not a problem". You can also use "Pas de" plus a noun: "Pas de problème", "Pas de souci". These short replies are complete sentences in conversation, so you do not need to add anything else.
When to use it
Use "Ce n'est pas grave" or "Pas de problème" for small everyday things: a friend is five minutes late, someone forgets to call, or a colleague makes a tiny mistake. Use "Ne t'inquiète pas" or "Ne vous inquiétez pas" when the other person seems worried or embarrassed. Use "J'apprécie tes excuses" or "J'apprécie vos excuses" when you want to sound sincere and a little more serious. After accepting the apology, you can move on with "On passe à autre chose" (Let's move on to something else) or simply continue the conversation.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Désolé, je suis en retard.
Sorry, I'm late.day-zoh-lay, zhuh swee zan ruh-tarCe n'est pas grave, ne t'inquiète pas.
It's okay, don't worry.suh neh pah grahv, nuh tan-kyet pahMerci. J'ai eu un problème de métro.
Thank you. I had a problem with the metro.mehr-see. zhay uh uhn proh-blehm duh may-trohPas de souci. On y va ?
No worries. Shall we go?pah duh soo-see. on ee vahA little context goes a long way
In France, "Ce n'est pas grave" and "Pas de problème" are standard and friendly. In Québec, "Pas de problème" and "C'est correct" are also very common. "Pas de souci" is common in France but less so in some other Francophone regions. When in doubt, "Ce n'est pas grave" is widely understood.
One thing to watch for
Replying to an apology with "Je suis désolé" because you think it means "It's okay".
Try this instead: "Je suis désolé" means "I am sorry", so it apologizes instead of accepting an apology. If someone says "Désolé, je suis en retard", reply "Ce n'est pas grave" or "Pas de problème", not "Je suis désolé".
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A friend says "Désolé, j'ai oublié." Give one natural reply that means "It's okay."
Show a sample answer
Ce n'est pas grave.
This is the most common everyday reply. "Pas de problème" and "Pas de souci" are also correct and natural in this situation.
2You want to say "Don't worry" to an older stranger. Which form do you use?
Show a sample answer
Ne vous inquiétez pas.
Use the vous form with strangers, older people, or anyone you address formally. "Ne t'inquiète pas" is only for someone you call tu.
3Someone gives you a sincere apology and you want to say "I appreciate your apology." What do you say?
Show a sample answer
J'apprécie tes excuses.
This works when you address the person as tu. With vous, say "J'apprécie vos excuses". Both are sincere and a little more formal than "Ce n'est pas grave".
When you receive an apology in French, use "Ce n'est pas grave" or "Pas de problème" for small things, "Ne t'inquiète pas" or "Ne vous inquiétez pas" to reassure, and "J'apprécie tes/vos excuses" for a sincere reply. Then move on naturally.
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