Greetings in French : complete course

What Are Greetings in French?

Les salutations en français are the words and phrases French speakers use to say hello, goodbye, and everything in between. They are the very first things you will say when you meet someone in France or any French-speaking country. Think of them as the key that opens every conversation.

Greetings in French are not just polite — they are essential. French culture places a strong value on courtesy and first impressions, so knowing how to greet someone properly is a great first step.

Simple Examples to Get You Started

• Bonjour ! — Hello! (used during the day)
• Bonsoir ! — Good evening!
• Salut ! — Hi! (informal, used with friends)
• Au revoir ! — Goodbye!
• À bientôt ! — See you soon!

These are the most common expressions you will hear every day in French. Start with these and you will already feel more confident!

Les Éléments de ‘Les Salutations en Français’

French greetings can be divided into a few clear categories. Let’s explore the main ones.

1. Formal vs. Informal Greetings

In French, the context matters a lot. You would not greet your boss the same way you greet your best friend. Here is a simple comparison:

As a beginner, always use Bonjour when you are not sure. It is safe, polite, and always appropriate.

2. Greetings by Time of Day

French speakers often choose their greeting based on the time of day. Here are the key ones:

• Bonjour — used in the morning and during the day
• Bonsoir — used in the evening (usually after 6 PM)
• Bonne nuit — used only when someone is going to sleep (like ‘Good night’)

Note: Unlike English, French does not have a common equivalent for ‘Good afternoon’. Bonjour covers both morning and afternoon.

3. Asking How Someone Is Doing

After saying hello, it is natural to ask how someone is. Here are the most common phrases:

• Comment allez-vous ? — How are you? (formal)
• Comment vas-tu ? — How are you? (informal, singular)
• Ça va ? — How’s it going? / You okay? (very common and casual)

And the typical answers:

• Ça va bien, merci ! — I’m doing well, thank you!
• Très bien, merci. Et vous ? — Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)
• Pas mal. — Not bad.

Why ‘Les Salutations en Français’ Really Matter

You might wonder: why spend so much time on just saying hello? The answer is simple. In French culture, greetings are a sign of respect. Walking into a shop, entering a room, or meeting someone for the first time without saying Bonjour can be seen as rude.

Greetings also help you create a connection with the person you are talking to. They show that you acknowledge the other person and that you are ready to communicate. In French-speaking countries like France, Belgium, or Canada, this small effort goes a long way.

From a language learning perspective, greetings are also the perfect starting point. They are short, easy to memorize, and you can practice them every single day.

Comparaison avec d’Autres Langues

If you already speak English or Spanish, you will notice both similarities and differences with French greetings. Here is a helpful comparison:

One key difference: French and Spanish both have formal and informal ‘you’ (vous/tu and usted/tú). English only has ‘you’, which makes French greetings slightly more nuanced for English speakers.

Exemple Complet

Here is a short and realistic conversation between two people meeting for the first time at work:

• Marie : Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Marie. Comment allez-vous ? — Hello! My name is Marie. How are you?
• Thomas : Bonjour Marie ! Je vais très bien, merci. Et vous ? — Hello Marie! I’m very well, thank you. And you?
• Marie : Très bien aussi, merci ! — Very well too, thank you!
• Thomas : Au revoir, Marie. À bientôt ! — Goodbye, Marie. See you soon!
• Marie : Au revoir ! À bientôt ! — Goodbye! See you soon!

This simple exchange uses everything you have learned in this article. Try reading it out loud!

Points à Retenir

• Use Bonjour during the day and Bonsoir in the evening.
• Use Salut only with people you know well.
• Always greet people when entering a shop or a room — it is expected in French culture.
• Ça va ? is one of the most common and useful expressions in everyday French.
• Pay attention to formal vs. informal situations — it matters a lot in French.
• Practice these phrases every day: they are short, useful, and will boost your confidence fast.

Mastering French greetings is your first real step into the French language. They are simple, powerful, and open the door to every conversation you will ever have in French. Bonne chance ! Good luck!

Sources

• Conseil de l’Europe — Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (CECRL), 2001. Available at: coe.int
• Bescherelle — La Grammaire pour tous, Hatier, 2012.
• TV5Monde — Apprendre le français (free online learning resources). Available at: apprendre.tv5monde.com