How to Say Hello in French
Quick answer
The most common way to say hello in French is Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR), used politely any time during the day. In the evening, switch to Bonsoir. Among friends, Salut is the casual hi (and bye). Bonjour is safe in almost any situation — always greet shopkeepers and staff with it first.
French for Tourists - Essential Travel Phrases
The French phrases travelers to France use most — greetings, getting around, ordering food, shopping, numbers, and emergencies — each with natural French, easy phonetic pronunciation, a usage example, and native-speaker audio.
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Say hello by time and formality
Start with Bonjour — it is polite and works with anyone during the day. Save Salut for friends.
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR | Hello / Good day (polite, daytime) | |
| Bonsoir | bohn-SWAHR | Good evening | |
| Salut | sah-LEW | Hi / Bye (casual, with friends) | |
| Coucou | koo-KOO | Hey (very casual, close friends) | |
| Allô | ah-LOH | Hello (only when answering the phone) |
Introduce yourself and ask how someone is
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanté | ahn-shahn-TAY | Nice to meet you (say enchantée if you are female) | |
| Comment allez-vous ? | koh-mahn tah-lay VOO | How are you? (polite) | |
| Ça va ? | sah VAH | How's it going? (casual) | |
| Je m'appelle... | zhuh mah-PELL | My name is... |
Goodbyes
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Au revoir | oh ruh-VWAHR | Goodbye | |
| À bientôt | ah bee-ahn-TOH | See you soon | |
| À demain | ah duh-MAN | See you tomorrow | |
| Bonne journée | bun zhoor-NAY | Have a good day |
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce bonjour?
Say it as bohn-ZHOOR. The on is a nasal vowel (through the nose, no hard n), and the j is soft like the s in measure. It means hello or good day.
Is bonjour formal or informal?
Bonjour is polite and safe in every daytime situation — with strangers, shopkeepers, and new acquaintances. In France it is considered rude not to say bonjour when you enter a shop. Among friends, people often say Salut instead.
How do you say good evening in French?
Bonsoir (bohn-SWAHR). Use it from roughly early evening onward instead of bonjour.
What is the difference between bonjour and salut?
Bonjour is polite and works with anyone. Salut is casual — used only with friends, family, and people your own age — and it means both hi and bye.
Do French people greet with a kiss?
Among friends and family, the French often greet with la bise — a light cheek kiss (usually two). With strangers or in professional settings, a handshake and bonjour are standard.
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