In French, greetings play a key role in daily interactions. The choice of greeting depends on the time of day and the level of formality. You might say Bonjour in the morning or Au revoir when leaving. This lesson covers essential ways to say hello, goodbye, and introduce yourself naturally in different situations.
"Bonjour" is the most common and polite way to greet someone in French. It literally means "Good day" and can be used from the morning until late afternoon. It's suitable in both formal and informal settings, making it the safest greeting when meeting someone for the first time. For example, you would say "Bonjour" when entering a shop or greeting a colleague in the morning.
"Bonsoir" is used to greet someone in the evening, typically from 6 PM onward or when it starts getting dark. Like "Bonjour," it works in both formal and informal settings, making it a polite and safe choice when meeting someone later in the day. For example, if you arrive at a dinner party in the evening, you would greet people with "Bonsoir."
"Salut" is an informal way to say "hi" in French. It’s commonly used between friends, family, or people of the same age group. Unlike "Bonjour," which works in both formal and informal situations, "Salut" is best avoided in professional or very polite contexts. You could use "Salut" when greeting a friend at the park.
"Coucou" is a very informal and friendly way to say hi in French. It’s often used with close friends, family, or children. The word originally comes from the cuckoo bird’s call and is associated with the waving gesture people make when greeting someone playfully.
"Allô ?" is used exclusively when answering the phone in French. Unlike "Bonjour" or "Salut," you wouldn’t use "Allô ?" for in-person greetings. It’s similar to saying "Hello?" in English when picking up a call or checking if someone is on the line.
"Au revoir" is the most common way to say goodbye in French. While it literally means "see you again," it is used in everyday language simply to mean "goodbye." It works in both formal and informal situations, making it a safe and polite way to take leave, whether you're speaking to a friend, colleague, or stranger. For example, when leaving a meeting, you would say "Au revoir" to everyone.
As seen above, "Salut" is an informal way to say "hi" in French. However, it can also be used to say "bye" when parting ways. It is commonly used among friends, family, or people you know well, making it a casual and friendly choice. While it’s a great greeting, it’s also a relaxed way to say goodbye, much like "Bye" in English. For instance, you might say "Salut" when leaving a friend’s house.
"À bientôt" is a friendly way to say "see you soon" in French. It's used when you expect to see someone again in the near future, though it doesn’t specify exactly when. This phrase is commonly used in both informal and semi-formal contexts, making it versatile for a variety of situations. It’s a great choice when parting ways with a friend, colleague, or acquaintance you’re likely to meet again soon.
"À plus tard" and its shortened form, "À plus," are informal ways to say "see you later" in French. These phrases are commonly used among friends and people you know well, especially when you expect to see them again at some point in the future. For example, when leaving a café, you might say "À plus tard" to a friend who you’ll catch up with later in the day.
"À tout à l'heure" is an informal way to say "see you in a bit" in French. It’s typically used when you plan to see someone again within a short period of time, such as a few hours or later the same day. For instance, you could say "À tout à l'heure" to a colleague when taking a break at work.
"À demain" is a common and straightforward way to say "see you tomorrow" in French. It’s used when you know that you’ll see the person the next day. For example, you might say "À demain" when parting ways with a coworker at the end of the workday, knowing you’ll see them the next morning.
"Bonne journée" is a polite and friendly way to wish someone a good day in French. It’s often used when parting ways with someone during the day, typically in the morning or afternoon, before the evening. You might say "Bonne journée" when leaving a friend in the morning, wishing them a pleasant day ahead.
"Bonne soirée" is a polite way to wish someone a good evening in French. It’s commonly used in the evening when parting ways with someone or before they begin their evening activities. For example, when leaving a dinner party, you might say "Bonne soirée" to the host.
"Bonne nuit" is a common and caring way to wish someone good night in French. It’s typically used when you’re parting ways for the night, either before going to bed or when you’re leaving someone’s company late in the evening. You might say "Bonne nuit" to a family member or close friend before heading to bed.
This is the formal way to ask someone their name in French. You use "vous" to show politeness or respect, especially when talking to strangers, people older than you, or in professional settings. It’s the most common phrase for asking someone's name in these situations.
There is also an informal version: "Comment tu t'appelles ?" This is used when speaking to friends, family, or people your age. The difference here is that "tu" is more familiar and casual, whereas "vous" is polite and respectful.
Both phrases are commonly used, but it’s important to choose the correct one based on the situation and the level of formality.
This is a polite and common way to introduce yourself in French. The phrase "Je m'appelle" literally means "I call myself", but it’s how French speakers say "My name is".
The "et vous ?" part means "and you?" and is used to ask the other person for their name after you’ve introduced yourself. It’s a polite way to keep the conversation going, especially in more formal situations where you’re addressing someone with "vous".
If you’re speaking to a friend, you might use "et toi ?" instead of "et vous ?" to keep the tone more informal.
"Enchanté" is a polite and common way to say "Nice to meet you" in French. It’s usually used after someone has introduced themselves, to show that you’re pleased to meet them.
Note: The form "Enchanté" is used by a man. If a woman is speaking, she would say "Enchantée", with an extra "e" at the end to match the feminine form.
This phrase is simple and works in both formal and informal situations when meeting someone for the first time.
"Comment ça va ?" is a common and friendly way to ask "How are you?" in French. It’s often used in informal situations, like with friends, classmates, or people you know well. It literally means “How’s it going?” and is part of everyday conversation.
You can also simply say "Ça va ?" for an even more casual version — just like saying “You good?” in English.
There are other, more formal ways to ask this (like Comment allez-vous ?), but "Comment ça va ?" is the most commonly used version in casual settings.
This is a typical and polite way to answer “Comment ça va ?” in French.
In informal situations, you can say "Et toi ?" instead of "Et vous ?" when speaking to someone your age or someone you know well.
It’s a nice way to show interest in the other person too!