B2 Collocation Formel 3 min de lecture

heartfelt thanks

Sincere gratitude

Littéralement: Gratitude coming from the heart

Use `heartfelt thanks` when someone’s kindness truly moves you and a simple 'thank you' feels too small.

En 15 secondes

  • A deep, emotional way to say thank you.
  • Used for significant favors or life-changing support.
  • More sincere and powerful than a standard 'thanks'.

Signification

This phrase describes a feeling of gratitude that comes from deep inside your heart. It is much stronger and more emotional than a simple 'thank you' because it shows you are truly touched by someone's kindness.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Writing a thank-you card after a wedding

We want to send our heartfelt thanks for your generous gift.

We want to send our sincere gratitude for your generous gift.

💭
2

A boss thanking a team after a hard year

My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who worked overtime this month.

My sincere gratitude goes to everyone who worked extra hours.

💼
3

Texting a friend who helped during a breakup

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thanks for listening to me cry all night.

I want to say a sincere thank you for listening to me.

🤝
🌍

Contexte culturel

The concept of 'heartfelt' expressions rose in popularity during the Romantic era of literature, emphasizing raw emotion over cold logic. In many English-speaking countries, expressing deep gratitude is seen as a sign of strong character and emotional intelligence. It bridges the gap between professional courtesy and personal connection.

💡

The 'One-Time' Rule

Only use this once per interaction. If you say it twice, it starts to sound like you are trying too hard to be convincing.

⚠️

Don't use for coffee

If you use `heartfelt thanks` for a small favor like someone lending you a pen, it can make the other person feel awkward or think you are being sarcastic.

En 15 secondes

  • A deep, emotional way to say thank you.
  • Used for significant favors or life-changing support.
  • More sincere and powerful than a standard 'thanks'.

What It Means

Heartfelt thanks is a powerful way to show deep appreciation. It suggests that your gratitude isn't just a polite habit. It comes from your actual emotions. Think of it as the difference between a quick nod and a warm hug. When you use this, you are telling the other person that their actions really moved you. It is sincere, honest, and very warm.

How To Use It

You usually use this phrase as a noun phrase. You can say, "I want to give you my heartfelt thanks." It also works great in writing, like in a card or an email. You can pair it with verbs like offer, extend, or express. Don't just throw it around for small things. Save it for when someone really goes out of their way for you. If a stranger holds the door, just say 'thanks.' If a friend helps you move houses all weekend, give them your heartfelt thanks.

When To Use It

Use this during big life moments. It is perfect for wedding speeches or graduation notes. It works well when someone supports you during a tough time. In a professional setting, use it after a long project ends successfully. It is also great for retirement parties. Basically, use it whenever you want to sound like a real human with feelings, not a robot.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this for tiny, everyday favors. Don't use it because someone passed you the salt. It will sound weirdly dramatic. Also, avoid it if you are actually angry but trying to be polite. People can smell 'fake' heartfelt thanks from a mile away. It loses its magic if you use it three times in one conversation. Keep it special.

Cultural Background

In English-speaking cultures, the 'heart' is the center of all true emotion. We believe the brain thinks, but the heart feels. Using the word heartfelt dates back centuries. It implies that there is no filter between your feelings and your words. It is a very 'Western' way of showing vulnerability. It shows you are willing to be open about how much someone helped you.

Common Variations

You might hear people say sincere thanks or deepest gratitude. These are cousins to our phrase. Heartfelt appreciation is another common one. If you want to be even more intense, you can say my most heartfelt thanks. Just remember that heartfelt is the 'gold standard' for showing you actually care.

Notes d'usage

This is a 'high-register' phrase. It sits between neutral and formal. It is perfect for professional appreciation or deep personal connections, but too heavy for casual daily chores.

💡

The 'One-Time' Rule

Only use this once per interaction. If you say it twice, it starts to sound like you are trying too hard to be convincing.

⚠️

Don't use for coffee

If you use `heartfelt thanks` for a small favor like someone lending you a pen, it can make the other person feel awkward or think you are being sarcastic.

💬

The Power of the Pen

In the US and UK, writing `heartfelt thanks` in a handwritten note is considered much more powerful than saying it out loud or sending it via email.

Exemples

6
#1 Writing a thank-you card after a wedding
💭

We want to send our heartfelt thanks for your generous gift.

We want to send our sincere gratitude for your generous gift.

Standard use for major life events.

#2 A boss thanking a team after a hard year
💼

My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who worked overtime this month.

My sincere gratitude goes to everyone who worked extra hours.

Adds a human touch to a professional setting.

#3 Texting a friend who helped during a breakup
🤝

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thanks for listening to me cry all night.

I want to say a sincere thank you for listening to me.

Used to show deep appreciation in a close friendship.

#4 A humorous moment with a sibling
😄

My heartfelt thanks to my brother for finally cleaning his room after ten years.

My sincere thanks to my brother for finally cleaning his room.

Using a formal phrase for a silly situation creates irony.

#5 Accepting an award
👔

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for this incredible honor.

Please accept my sincere gratitude for this honor.

Very appropriate for public speaking.

#6 Thanking a doctor after a recovery
💭

I offer my heartfelt thanks to the staff for saving my life.

I offer my sincere gratitude to the staff.

Highly emotional and serious.

Teste-toi

Choose the best word to complete the phrase for a graduation speech.

I would like to extend my ___ thanks to my parents for their support.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : heartfelt

`Heartfelt` is the correct adjective to describe sincere, deep gratitude.

Which verb usually goes with 'heartfelt thanks' in a formal letter?

Please ___ our heartfelt thanks for your donation.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : accept

'Accept' is the standard formal verb used when offering thanks.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Gratitude Formality Scale

Thanks!

Quick, casual, everyday.

Thanks for the coffee.

Thank you so much

Warm, friendly, common.

Thank you so much for the ride.

Heartfelt thanks

Deep, sincere, formal/semi-formal.

My heartfelt thanks for your support during the funeral.

When to give Heartfelt Thanks

Heartfelt Thanks
💍

Wedding Speech

To our guests...

✉️

Retirement Letter

To my colleagues...

🏥

Life-saving help

To the surgeon...

🎓

Major Mentorship

To my teacher...

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is almost always plural. You say my heartfelt thanks, even if you are only thanking one person for one thing.

Yes, but save it for big moments, like finishing a year-long project. In a regular email, sincere thanks is slightly more common.

Heartfelt is more emotional and personal. Sincere is professional and honest but lacks the 'warm' feeling of the heart.

Yes! You can say a heartfelt thank you or heartfelt thanks. Both are perfectly natural.

Absolutely. It’s great when a friend does something truly meaningful for you, like helping you move or supporting you through a loss.

Not at all. While it sounds elegant, it is still used frequently in modern English for cards, speeches, and serious messages.

Yes, heartfelt gratitude is a perfect synonym and is slightly more formal than heartfelt thanks.

It is pronounced HEART-felt. Make sure to emphasize the 'heart' part to show the emotion!

Don't say heart-fell thanks. It must have the 't' at the end of heartfelt because it means the heart 'felt' the emotion.

It is used equally in both. It is a universal expression across the English-speaking world.

Expressions liées

Deepest gratitude

A very formal way to show extreme appreciation.

Much obliged

An old-fashioned, polite way to say thank you.

I can't thank you enough

Used when a favor is so big that words aren't sufficient.

Beyond grateful

A modern, slightly more casual way to show deep thanks.

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