Greetings in French
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20 Most Common Greetings in French: Pronunciation and English Translation
Learning a few common French greetings is one of the easiest ways to start speaking French confidently. Whether you are visiting France, meeting French-speaking people, studying the language, or simply want to expand your vocabulary, knowing how to greet someone appropriately is essential.
French greetings can change depending on the time of day, your relationship with the person, and the level of formality. Here are 20 common greetings in French, along with their pronunciation and English translations.
20 Common French Greetings
| # | French Greeting | Pronunciation | English Translation | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR | Hello / Good morning | Formal & everyday |
| 2 | Salut | sah-LÜ | Hi / Bye | Casual |
| 3 | Bonsoir | bon-SWAHR | Good evening | Formal & everyday |
| 4 | Bonne nuit | bun NWEE | Good night | Before sleeping |
| 5 | Coucou | koo-KOO | Hi / Hey | Very casual |
| 6 | Allô | ah-LOH | Hello | Mainly on the phone |
| 7 | Comment allez-vous ? | koh-mahn tah-lay VOO | How are you? | Formal |
| 8 | Comment vas-tu ? | koh-mahn vah TOO | How are you? | Informal |
| 9 | Ça va ? | sah VAH | How are you? / Are you okay? | Casual |
| 10 | Comment ça va ? | koh-mahn sah VAH | How are you doing? | Casual |
| 11 | Ça va bien ? | sah VAH byan | Are you doing well? | Casual |
| 12 | Enchanté(e) | ahn-shahn-TAY | Nice to meet you | First meeting |
| 13 | Ravi(e) de vous rencontrer | rah-VEE duh voo ron-kon-TRAY | Pleased to meet you | Polite |
| 14 | Bienvenue | byan-vuh-NOO | Welcome | Welcoming someone |
| 15 | Bienvenue à tous | byan-vuh-NOO ah TOOS | Welcome everyone | Groups |
| 16 | Bon matin | bon mah-TAN | Good morning | More common in Canadian French |
| 17 | Bonne journée | bun zhoor-NAY | Have a good day | Saying goodbye |
| 18 | Bonne soirée | bun swah-RAY | Have a good evening | Saying goodbye |
| 19 | À bientôt | ah byan-TOH | See you soon | Goodbye |
| 20 | À demain | ah duh-MAN | See you tomorrow | Goodbye |
1. Bonjour — Hello / Good Morning
Bonjour is probably the most useful French greeting to learn. It can mean “hello” or “good morning” and is appropriate in many everyday situations. You can use it when entering a shop, meeting someone, speaking to a colleague, or addressing someone you do not know well.
2. Salut — Hi / Bye
Salut is an informal greeting used with friends, family, classmates, and people you know well. Interestingly, it can also mean “bye.” Avoid using it in very formal situations.
3. Bonsoir — Good Evening
Use bonsoir when greeting someone in the evening. It is more appropriate than bonjour later in the day, particularly when you are meeting someone or entering a place in the evening.
4. Bonne nuit — Good Night
Bonne nuit literally means “good night.” Unlike bonsoir, it is generally used when someone is going to bed or when you are saying good night before sleeping.
5. Coucou — Hi / Hey
Coucou is a playful and very informal French greeting. It is commonly used among close friends, family members, and sometimes with children.
Formal vs. Informal French Greetings
One important part of learning French is understanding formality. Bonjour and bonsoir are safe choices in most situations. Salut and coucou are more relaxed.
When speaking to someone formally, you may use Comment allez-vous ? (“How are you?”). With a friend or someone you address informally, Comment vas-tu ? or Ça va ? is more natural.
Final Thoughts
Learning these 20 common greetings in French gives beginners a practical foundation for everyday conversations. Start with bonjour, salut, bonsoir, ça va ?, and à bientôt, then gradually add more expressions as your French improves.
Remember that pronunciation takes practice. Listening to native French speakers and repeating the phrases aloud can help you develop more natural pronunciation and rhythm.