French for Beginners: Accept and Decline Invitations Casually
Learn to accept with enthusiasm and decline politely in informal French, with reasons and flexible alternatives for everyday invitations.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In everyday French, invitations from friends are usually casual and flexible. You will learn two core responses: an enthusiastic yes and a polite no. You will also learn how to add a short reason and how to suggest another time. This is different from formal RSVP language, which is more fixed and written. Here we focus on spoken, friendly French you can use with friends, classmates and colleagues you know well.
By the end, you can…
- accept an informal invitation with enthusiasm.
- decline politely and give a short reason.
- suggest a different time or alternative.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ouais, carrément !
Yeah, definitely!
oo-ay kah-ray-mahn
Very informal and enthusiastic. Use with close friends. 'Ouais' is casual for 'yes'; 'carrément' adds strong agreement.
Ça me dit trop !
I'd really love to!
sah muh dee troh
Informal and warm. Literally 'that says a lot to me'. Common among younger speakers in France.
Avec plaisir !
With pleasure!
ah-vek play-zeer
Polite but still friendly. Works with acquaintances, colleagues and friends.
Je ne peux pas, mais merci !
I can't, but thanks!
zhuh nuh puh pah, meh mair-see
Standard polite refusal. In casual speech, 'Je ne peux pas' often becomes 'Je peux pas' (zhuh puh pah).
Désolé, j'ai déjà quelque chose.
Sorry, I already have something.
day-zoh-lay, zhay day-zhah kel-kuh shohz
A short, natural reason. If you are female, say 'Désolée'. 'Quelque chose' means 'something'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To accept, use a short enthusiastic phrase: 'Ouais, carrément !' or 'Ça me dit trop !'. To decline, use 'Je ne peux pas' or 'Je peux pas' plus 'mais merci'. Then add a brief reason with 'j'ai déjà...' (I already have...). For example: 'Je peux pas, j'ai déjà un truc.' Here 'un truc' is informal for 'something'. You can also suggest another time: 'On peut faire ça samedi ?' (Can we do it Saturday?).
When to use it
Use these phrases for informal invitations: a friend asks you to get coffee, see a film, or come to a party. They are not for formal RSVPs, where you would write 'Je vous prie de bien vouloir...' or 'Je ne pourrai malheureusement pas...'. In casual conversation, a short reason is enough. You do not need a long excuse. If you want to keep the door open, add 'Une prochaine fois !' (Next time!).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Tu veux venir au ciné ce soir ?
Do you want to come to the cinema tonight?tew vuh vuh-nir oh see-nay suh swahrOuais, carrément ! Ça me dit trop !
Yeah, definitely! I'd really love to!oo-ay kah-ray-mahn, sah muh dee trohSuper ! Et toi, Léa, tu viens ?
Great! And you, Léa, are you coming?sew-pair, ay twah, lay-ah, tew vyenJe ne peux pas, mais merci ! J'ai déjà quelque chose.
I can't, but thanks! I already have something.zhuh nuh puh pah, meh mair-see, zhay day-zhah kel-kuh shohzA little context goes a long way
In France, casual invitations among friends often happen by text or in person and can be accepted or declined quickly. A short refusal with 'merci' is normal and not rude. In Quebec, 'Ouais' is common, but you may also hear 'Ouin' for a softer yes. In Belgium and Switzerland, 'Avec plaisir' is widely used. Formal RSVPs, by contrast, usually require a written reply and more fixed phrases.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Non, merci' alone for a casual invitation, which can sound abrupt.
Try this instead: Soften it with a short reason and a friendly phrase: 'Je ne peux pas, mais merci ! J'ai déjà quelque chose.' This keeps the tone warm and leaves room for another invitation.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A friend asks: 'Tu veux venir au ciné ce soir ?' Accept enthusiastically in informal French.
Show a sample answer
Ouais, carrément ! Ça me dit trop !
Both phrases are enthusiastic and informal. 'Ouais, carrément !' is short and strong; 'Ça me dit trop !' is warm and common among younger speakers. Either works.
2A colleague you know well asks: 'On boit un café ?' Decline politely and give a short reason.
Show a sample answer
Je ne peux pas, mais merci ! J'ai déjà quelque chose.
This uses a polite refusal plus a brief reason. In casual speech, 'Je peux pas' is also fine. You could also say 'Désolé, j'ai déjà un truc.'
3You want to decline but suggest another time. What can you add?
Show a sample answer
Une prochaine fois ! On peut faire ça samedi ?
'Une prochaine fois !' means 'Next time!' and keeps things friendly. 'On peut faire ça samedi ?' suggests a specific alternative. You could also say 'On se voit bientôt ?'
For informal French invitations, accept with 'Ouais, carrément !' or 'Ça me dit trop !', and decline with 'Je ne peux pas, mais merci !' plus a short reason. Keep it friendly and flexible.
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