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French Phrase

Merci pour ton temps.

/mɛʁ.si puʁ tɔ̃ tɑ̃/
Meaning"Thank you for your time."
💡

Meaning

Literally “Thank you for your time,” this phrase is used to express gratitude for the minutes or hours someone has devoted to you, whether in a meeting, a lesson, or a casual chat.

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When to use

Use it right after a conversation, interview, tutoring session, or any situation where someone has given you their attention. It works well in both spoken and written French, especially in informal contexts with friends, classmates, or colleagues you know well.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Mercipourtontemps.

1

Merci

A simple way to say “thank you”. It can stand alone or be followed by a reason.

2

pour

Preposition meaning “for”. Used when you thank someone for a specific thing.

3

ton

Possessive adjective meaning “your” (informal, singular). Use “votre” in formal or plural contexts.

4

temps

Masculine noun meaning “time”. In this expression it refers to the time someone has spent with you.

🗨In Conversation

A

Merci pour ton temps.

Thank you for your time.

De rien, c'était un plaisir.

You’re welcome, it was a pleasure.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Merci à ton temps.

    The preposition “à” means “to/at” and is incorrect here; use “pour” to indicate the reason.

  • Merci pour ton temps, Monsieur Dupont.

    Use “votre” in formal contexts; “ton” is too casual for a teacher, boss, or stranger.

  • Merci pour temps.

    Don’t drop the article; “temps” is a noun that needs a determiner or possessive adjective.

↔Alternatives

  • Merci de m'avoir accordé du temps.

    Thank you for giving me some time.

  • Je te remercie pour le temps que tu m'as consacré.

    I thank you for the time you devoted to me.

  • Merci pour votre temps.

    Thank you for your time. (formal/plural)

fr

Cultural Tip

In French, gratitude is often paired with a specific reason, so you’ll hear both “merci pour …” and “merci de …”. The informal “ton” signals a friendly relationship; in a business or formal setting you should switch to “votre”. Also, saying “merci” alone is perfectly polite, but adding the reason makes the thanks feel more sincere.