(no subject)

[ex-dmitri83798.livejournal.com]

I have a friend (he is French) who learns Russian. He asked me what the difference between "Пожалуйста" and "Не за что" was. To my great embarrassment I could not describe the difference in meaning. Maybe someone can help me?

Comments

[jujav4ik.livejournal.com]

"Пожалуйста" = "s'il vous plaît" in french
"Не за что" = "de rien"

[ex-dmitri83798.livejournal.com]

"пожалуйста" is rather, "je vous en prie" which is very polite. I could not explain when one should use "пожалуйста", which degree of politeness it is.

[ashalynd.livejournal.com]

"Пожалуйста" versus "Не за что" is like "You are welcome" versus "Not at all".

[neckapb.livejournal.com]

Пожалуйста is the most common.

[zarxos.livejournal.com]

Or "it's nothing" (instead of "not at all")