French greeting expressions
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2025 8:53 am
Do you want to know how to greet someone in French ? You know the basic words like "hello" and " goodbye ", but you want to learn other polite expressions ? In French, we use different words depending on the context and the time of day . Discover in this practical guide the French greetings to start and end a conversation as well as the appropriate gestures .
Psssst… Find a little exercise at the end of the article to see if you understood everything!
Formal greetings in French
Good morning
To greet someone in French in any circumstance, we will say "bonjour". It is the simplest and most neutral way to greet each other.
You can use this expression in any context:
in an informal setting (between friends, family members or relatives).
If you want to be more polite, you can add a "madam" or "sir". In a formal context, you can even add the person's title or name. For example:
Hello Mr. Director, hello Mrs. Bayeux.
Be careful, you can use "bonjour" in any oman whatsapp number data situation, but not at any time of the day! In general, we say "bonjour" during the day, so in the morning and afternoon, but not in the evening. So, after 6 or 7 p.m., we will use another term: bonsoir.
Good evening
"Bonsoir" is the equivalent of "good morning", but for the evening. The word is used in any context, whether formal or informal. It is a polite way to greet someone in the evening. There is no specific time to know when to switch from "good morning" to "good evening". It is usually done after about 6 p.m.
Also read: How to introduce yourself in French orally?
Informal greetings
informal greetings in french
Now we're going to move on to informal greetings. This means that you can only use these words with your friends, family, or people you're close to.
Hi
“Salut” in French is a typical way to greet someone you know well.
The special thing about this word is that it can be used to start a conversation, but also to end it. It serves as both "hello" and "goodbye". I'll show you two examples:
The first "hello" is used to start the conversation and the second one to end it. Interesting, isn't it?
Note: the letter t in "hi" is not pronounced. This is called a silent letter in French.
Cuckoo
"Coucou" is a very friendly greeting in French. I would say that it is even more informal than "salut". So I would like to remind you that this word is only used with people you are very close to. In my opinion, "coucou" has a cuter and warmer side than "salut". Besides, you can use it with children.
Another interesting point: this expression is used more to greet someone by written message than orally face to face:
Hi Cathy, do you have anything planned tonight?
Hey, are you available tomorrow?
Hello
When you answer the phone, use the word "hello?" This is the usual way to answer a call, regardless of the context. Note that in Quebec, "hello" has another use. It is used in the sense of "hello" or "hi" with people face to face.
Psssst… Find a little exercise at the end of the article to see if you understood everything!
Formal greetings in French
Good morning
To greet someone in French in any circumstance, we will say "bonjour". It is the simplest and most neutral way to greet each other.
You can use this expression in any context:
in an informal setting (between friends, family members or relatives).
If you want to be more polite, you can add a "madam" or "sir". In a formal context, you can even add the person's title or name. For example:
Hello Mr. Director, hello Mrs. Bayeux.
Be careful, you can use "bonjour" in any oman whatsapp number data situation, but not at any time of the day! In general, we say "bonjour" during the day, so in the morning and afternoon, but not in the evening. So, after 6 or 7 p.m., we will use another term: bonsoir.
Good evening
"Bonsoir" is the equivalent of "good morning", but for the evening. The word is used in any context, whether formal or informal. It is a polite way to greet someone in the evening. There is no specific time to know when to switch from "good morning" to "good evening". It is usually done after about 6 p.m.
Also read: How to introduce yourself in French orally?
Informal greetings
informal greetings in french
Now we're going to move on to informal greetings. This means that you can only use these words with your friends, family, or people you're close to.
Hi
“Salut” in French is a typical way to greet someone you know well.
The special thing about this word is that it can be used to start a conversation, but also to end it. It serves as both "hello" and "goodbye". I'll show you two examples:
The first "hello" is used to start the conversation and the second one to end it. Interesting, isn't it?
Note: the letter t in "hi" is not pronounced. This is called a silent letter in French.
Cuckoo
"Coucou" is a very friendly greeting in French. I would say that it is even more informal than "salut". So I would like to remind you that this word is only used with people you are very close to. In my opinion, "coucou" has a cuter and warmer side than "salut". Besides, you can use it with children.
Another interesting point: this expression is used more to greet someone by written message than orally face to face:
Hi Cathy, do you have anything planned tonight?
Hey, are you available tomorrow?
Hello
When you answer the phone, use the word "hello?" This is the usual way to answer a call, regardless of the context. Note that in Quebec, "hello" has another use. It is used in the sense of "hello" or "hi" with people face to face.