greetings & farewells

ByFast French

French culture places great importance on proper greetings and farewells, with different expressions used depending on the time of day, formality level, and relationship between speakers. Here is a comprehensive guide to common French salutations.

Standard daytime greetings

These greetings are appropriate for most daytime situations:

  • Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
    Good day, how are you? (formal)
  • Salut, ça va ?
    Hi, how’s it going? (informal)
  • Bonjour, enchanté de faire votre connaissance.
    Good day, pleased to meet you. (formal introduction)

Time-specific greetings

French has distinct greetings for different times of day:

  • Bonsoir, madame Dupont.
    Good evening, Mrs. Dupont. (after approximately 6pm)
  • Bonne nuit, dors bien.
    Good night, sleep well. (only when parting for the night)
  • Bon après-midi !
    Good afternoon! (when parting during daytime)

Parting expressions with “bonne”

These farewells wish someone well for the coming period:

  • Bonne journée !
    Have a good day! (used when parting during daytime)
  • Bonne soirée !
    Have a good evening! (used when parting in the evening)
  • Bonne continuation !
    All the best! (used to wish someone continued success in their current activity)

The “rebonjour” phenomenon

In French culture, it’s considered odd to say “bonjour” twice to the same person in one day. Instead, these alternatives are used:

  • Rebonjour !
    Hello again! (casual, acknowledges you’ve already greeted them)
  • Bonjour, excusez-moi de vous déranger à nouveau…
    Hello, sorry to bother you again… (formal)
  • Tiens, vous encore !
    Oh, you again! (playful, informal)
  • On se recroise !
    We meet again! (casual)

Formal greetings

These expressions are used in professional settings or with elders:

  • Je vous souhaite une bonne journée.
    I wish you a good day.
  • Mes respects, monsieur le directeur.
    My respects, director.
  • Comment allez-vous aujourd’hui ?
    How are you today?

Casual greetings

Informal expressions used with friends and family:

  • Coucou ! Quoi de neuf ?
    Hey! What’s new?
  • Ça roule ?
    How’s it rolling?
  • Tiens, te voilà !
    Well, there you are!

Standard farewells

Common ways to say goodbye in French:

  • Au revoir, à bientôt.
    Goodbye, see you soon.
  • À demain !
    See you tomorrow!
  • Bonne journée !
    Have a good day!

Formal farewells

Polite expressions for professional contexts:

  • Je vous souhaite une excellente soirée.
    I wish you an excellent evening.
  • À très bientôt, j’espère.
    Hope to see you very soon.
  • Prenez soin de vous.
    Take care of yourself.

Casual farewells

Informal goodbyes among friends:

  • Salut, à plus tard !
    Bye, see you later!
  • Ciao, à la prochaine !
    Bye, until next time!
  • Je me casse, à plus !
    I’m out, see ya!
  • À bientôt !
    See you soon!
  • Bon retour !
    Have a good/safe trip home!

Special occasion greetings

Seasonal or event-specific expressions:

  • Joyeux anniversaire !
    Happy birthday!
  • Bonnes vacances !
    Have good holidays!
  • Bon rétablissement !
    Get well soon!

Telephone greetings

Common ways to answer the phone:

  • Allô ?
    Hello?
  • Bonjour, c’est Pierre à l’appareil.
    Hello, this is Pierre speaking.
  • Oui, j’écoute.
    Yes, I’m listening.

Written greetings

Appropriate for letters and emails:

  • Cher monsieur,
    Dear sir,
  • Cordialement,
    Sincerely,
  • Bien à vous,
    Yours truly,

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