How to Accept and Decline Invitations Politely in French
Learn beginner-friendly French phrases to accept or politely decline invitations, with formal and informal options and ways to soften a refusal.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In French, accepting an invitation is usually warm and direct, but declining one needs care. A flat "non" can sound abrupt, especially to someone older, a colleague, or a new acquaintance. This lesson gives you ready-made phrases to say yes with pleasure, say no with regret, and explain briefly without over-sharing. You will also learn how tu and vous change the tone, and how to add a reason or a future possibility so the other person does not feel rejected.
By the end, you can…
- accept an invitation in formal and informal French.
- decline an invitation politely and soften the refusal with a reason or a future alternative.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Avec plaisir !
With pleasure!
ah-vek pleh-ZEER
Warm, natural acceptance. Works in both formal and informal situations.
Oui, je veux bien.
Yes, I'd like that.
wee, zhuh vuh byan
Softer than a plain oui. Common in everyday spoken French, including polite contexts.
Je suis désolé(e), je ne peux pas.
I'm sorry, I can't.
zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY, zhuh nuh puh pah
Standard polite refusal. Add e in writing if the speaker is female: désolée.
Merci, mais je ne suis pas disponible.
Thank you, but I'm not available.
mehr-see, meh zhuh nuh swee pah dee-zee-TAHBL
Formal or neutral refusal. Useful for work or someone you address with vous.
C'est gentil, mais malheureusement je ne peux pas.
That's kind of you, but unfortunately I can't.
seh zhahn-TEE, meh mal-uh-ruhz-MAHN zhuh nuh puh pah
Very useful softener. C'est gentil thanks the person before you refuse.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A polite refusal in French often follows this shape: thank or compliment + regret + short reason or limitation. For example: "Merci, c'est très gentil, mais je ne peux pas ce soir." You can also use "je ne suis pas libre" (I'm not free) or "je ne suis pas disponible" (I'm not available). To leave the door open, add "une prochaine fois" (next time): "Pas cette fois, mais avec plaisir une prochaine fois." Notice that French usually repeats je with the verb: je ne peux pas, je ne suis pas libre.
When to use it
Use tu forms with friends, family, classmates, and people who have invited you to use tu. Use vous forms with strangers, older people, teachers, and most professional contacts unless they invite you to switch. The acceptance phrases above work in both registers, but the refusal "Je ne peux pas" can sound neutral. In formal settings, prefer "Je suis désolé(e), je ne suis pas disponible" or "Malheureusement, je ne pourrai pas" for a future invitation. In Quebec, "Bien sûr !" and "Ça me fait plaisir" are common warm acceptances; in France, "Avec plaisir" and "Je veux bien" are very frequent.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Tu es libre samedi pour mon anniversaire ?
Are you free Saturday for my birthday?tew eh LEE-bruh sahm-DEE poor mon ah-nee-vehr-SEHROui, avec plaisir ! Merci beaucoup.
Yes, with pleasure! Thank you very much.wee, ah-vek pleh-ZEER! mehr-see boh-KOOSuper ! Et toi, Claire, tu viens ?
Great! And you, Claire, are you coming?sew-PEHR! ay twah, KLEHR, tew vyuhnC'est gentil, mais malheureusement je ne peux pas. Une prochaine fois !
That's kind, but unfortunately I can't. Next time!seh zhahn-TEE, meh mal-uh-ruhz-MAHN zhuh nuh puh pah. ewn pro-SHEN fwahA little context goes a long way
In French-speaking contexts, a refusal is often softened with a brief reason, but you do not need a long excuse. "Je ne peux pas" plus "merci" is usually enough. If the invitation is formal, using vous and a phrase like "je ne suis pas disponible" sounds more respectful. Regional habits vary: in Quebec, "Ça me fait plaisir" is a common acceptance, while in France "Avec plaisir" is very standard.
One thing to watch for
Using a bare "Non" or "Je ne veux pas" to decline an invitation.
Try this instead: A bare non can sound blunt, and je ne veux pas can sound like you do not want to, not that you cannot. Say "Je suis désolé(e), je ne peux pas" or "Merci, mais je ne suis pas disponible." For example: "Merci, c'est gentil, mais je ne peux pas ce soir."
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely accept a friend's invitation to dinner?
Show a sample answer
Avec plaisir !
Avec plaisir is a natural, warm acceptance in both informal and polite situations. Oui, je veux bien is also correct and slightly softer.
2A colleague you address with vous invites you to a meeting. Decline politely and briefly.
Show a sample answer
Merci, mais je ne suis pas disponible.
This uses vous-appropriate neutral language and a clear reason without being rude. Je suis désolé(e), je ne peux pas is also acceptable.
3You cannot attend now, but you want to suggest another time. What can you add?
Show a sample answer
Une prochaine fois !
Une prochaine fois softens the refusal and shows you are open to another invitation. Pas cette fois, mais avec plaisir une prochaine fois is a fuller alternative.
Accept with warmth using Avec plaisir or Je veux bien. Decline with Merci or C'est gentil, then add je ne peux pas or je ne suis pas disponible, and soften with une prochaine fois.
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