French Greetings People Use Every Day
Quick answer
Say Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR), hello, to anyone during the day, and say it first whenever you walk into a shop, café or office. From about 6 p.m. it becomes Bonsoir (bohn-SWAHR). With friends, people switch to Salut (sah-LEW) and ask Ça va ? (sah VAH), how's it going?
Best forLearners who want to greet people in France the way French people do, from shop counters to friends.
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Hello, from polite to casual
In France, Bonjour is not optional. Asking a shop assistant or a bus driver a question without it comes across as rude.
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR |
Hello, good day
Polite, to anyone, from morning until early evening. |
|
| Bonjour madame | bohn-ZHOOR mah-DAHM |
Hello (to a woman)
The polite way to greet staff or a stranger. Bonjour monsieur to a man. No name needed. |
|
| Bonsoir | bohn-SWAHR |
Good evening
From about 6 p.m., or once it gets dark. |
|
| Salut | sah-LEW |
Hi
Friends, family and colleagues you call tu. Also means bye. |
|
| Coucou | koo-KOO |
Hey you
Warm and very casual: close friends, family, children and texts. |
|
| Bonjour à tous | bohn-ZHOOR ah TOOS |
Hello, everyone
Walking into a meeting or a class, or opening a group email. With friends: Salut tout le monde. |
|
| Rebonjour | ruh-bohn-ZHOOR |
Hello again
When you see someone a second time the same day. With friends, re-salut. In texts, just re. |
|
| Wesh | WESH |
Yo
Slang among young people, who also say yo. Not for strangers or anyone older. |
How are you? Ça va and the polite version
Courses teach Comment allez-vous ? first. Day to day, French people ask Ça va ? among friends and Vous allez bien ? with people they call vous.
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ça va ? | sah VAH |
How's it going?
The everyday question. Often part of hello: Salut, ça va ? |
|
| Ça va. | sah VAH |
Fine.
The usual answer is the same two words, said as a statement. |
|
| Ça va, et toi ? | sah VAH, ay TWAH |
Fine, and you?
Casual. Et vous ? to someone you call vous. |
|
| Comment ça va ? | koh-mahn sah VAH |
How are you doing?
Casual to neutral, and warmer than plain ça va. |
|
| Vous allez bien ? | voo zah-lay BYAN |
Are you well?
Polite, to people you call vous. Far more common in daily speech than Comment allez-vous ? |
|
| Comment allez-vous ? | koh-mahn tah-lay VOO |
How are you? (formal)
Formal: clients, older strangers, letters. Taught first in courses, but stiff among friends. |
|
| Quoi de neuf ? | kwah duh NUHF |
What's new?
Casual, with friends you have not seen for a while. |
|
| Pas mal | pah MAHL |
Not bad
A casual answer. |
|
| Bof | BOHF |
Meh
An honest, casual answer when things are so-so. Not for formal settings. |
Meeting someone, and la bise
Friends, family and friends of friends in France often greet with la bise: cheek to cheek with a light kiss sound. Two is usual in Paris, and some regions do one, three or four. At work and with strangers, people shake hands. If you are unsure, let the other person lead.
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanté | ahn-shahn-TAY |
Nice to meet you
A woman writes enchantée; it sounds the same. |
|
| Moi, c'est… | mwah SAY |
I'm…
The everyday way to give your name: Moi, c'est Julie. |
|
| Je m'appelle… | zhuh mah-PELL |
My name is…
Correct anywhere, and more careful than moi, c'est. |
|
| Tu t'appelles comment ? | tew tah-PELL koh-MAHN |
What's your name?
Casual spoken word order. To someone you call vous: Vous vous appelez comment ? |
|
| On se fait la bise ? | ohn suh fay lah BEEZ |
Shall we do the cheek kiss?
A friendly way to ask when you are not sure. |
Phone, texts and email
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allô ? | ah-LOH |
Hello? (on the phone)
Only on the phone. Then say who you are: Allô, c'est Marc. |
|
| Bisous | bee-ZOO |
Kisses (to sign off)
Ends a text or call with friends and family. Gros bisous is warmer. |
|
| Cordialement | kor-dyahl-MAHN |
Kind regards
The standard sign-off for a work email. |
Goodbyes
Leaving a shop, people say merci, au revoir, then wish you a good rest of the day.
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Au revoir | oh ruh-VWAHR |
Goodbye
Polite and neutral, to anyone. |
|
| Bonne journée | bun zhoor-NAY |
Have a good day
Said as you leave during the day, especially to staff. |
|
| Bonne soirée | bun swah-RAY |
Have a good evening
Said as you leave in the evening. Bonsoir greets; bonne soirée says goodbye. |
|
| À plus | ah PLEWS |
See you
Casual; the s is pronounced. In texts: A+. |
|
| À tout à l'heure | ah too tah LUHR |
See you later (today)
When you will see them again the same day. Casual: à toute. |
|
| À bientôt | ah byan-TOH |
See you soon
Friendly, in any register. |
|
| À demain | ah duh-MAN |
See you tomorrow
When you will see them the next day. |
|
| Bonne nuit | bun NWEE |
Good night
At bedtime, or when parting late at night. To leave earlier in the evening, say bonne soirée. |
Frequently asked questions
What do French people say as a greeting?
Bonjour to anyone during the day and Bonsoir in the evening, with madame or monsieur for a stranger. Friends say Salut or Coucou, then Ça va ? Friends and family often add la bise, a light kiss on each cheek.
What is another word for bonjour?
Salut is the casual hi, and Coucou is warmer and more playful. Bonsoir replaces bonjour in the evening, and Rebonjour means hello again when you see someone twice in one day.
Do French people still say Comment allez-vous ?
Yes, but mostly in formal settings: with clients, older strangers or in a letter. In daily speech, people ask Vous allez bien ? with anyone they call vous and Ça va ? with friends. Comment allez-vous ? to a friend sounds stiff.
How do you answer Ça va ?
Say Ça va, et toi ? (fine, and you?). The question and the answer use the same words; only the tone changes. Pas mal (not bad) and Bof (meh) are casual answers. With someone you call vous, say Bien, merci, et vous ?
How many kisses do French people give?
Two is usual in Paris. Some regions give one, three or even four. La bise is for friends, family and friends of friends; at work and with strangers, people shake hands. If you are not sure, let the other person lead.
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