French Greetings
Master essential French greetings and polite expressions for everyday conversations.
Greeting Tip
French greetings vary by time of day and formality level. Choose the appropriate greeting for each situation.
Basic Greetings
Start your conversations with these essential greetings:
Bonjour
Hello / Good morning
Pronunciation: bon-ZHOOR
Used from morning until evening
Bonsoir
Good evening
Pronunciation: bon-SWAHR
Used in the evening and night
Salut
Hi / Bye
Pronunciation: sah-LOO
Informal greeting, used with friends
Au revoir
Goodbye
Pronunciation: oh ruh-VWAHR
Formal way to say goodbye
À bientôt
See you soon
Pronunciation: ah bee-ahn-TOH
When you expect to see someone soon
À demain
See you tomorrow
Pronunciation: ah duh-MAN
When you'll see someone tomorrow
Bonne nuit
Good night
Pronunciation: bun NWEE
Used when going to bed
Bonne journée
Have a good day
Pronunciation: bun zhoor-NAY
Wishing someone a good day
Bonne soirée
Have a good evening
Pronunciation: bun swah-RAY
Wishing someone a good evening
À plus tard
See you later
Pronunciation: ah ploo TAHR
Informal way to say goodbye
Coucou
Hey there
Pronunciation: koo-KOO
Very informal, playful greeting
Salut tout le monde
Hi everyone
Pronunciation: sah-LOO too luh MOND
Greeting a group of people
Polite Expressions
Essential polite expressions for courteous conversations:
Merci
Thank you
Pronunciation: mer-SEE
Basic thank you
Merci beaucoup
Thank you very much
Pronunciation: mer-SEE boh-KOO
Emphasized thank you
De rien
You're welcome
Pronunciation: duh ree-AN
Response to thank you
Excusez-moi
Excuse me
Pronunciation: eks-koo-zay MWAH
To get attention or apologize
Pardon
Sorry / Pardon
Pronunciation: par-DOHN
To apologize or ask for repetition
Je suis désolé(e)
I'm sorry
Pronunciation: zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY
Formal apology (add 'e' if you're female)
Pas de problème
No problem
Pronunciation: pah duh proh-BLEM
Casual response to apology
Aucun problème
No problem at all
Pronunciation: oh-KUN proh-BLEM
More formal response to apology
S'il vous plaît
Please
Pronunciation: seel voo PLAY
Formal way to say please
S'il te plaît
Please
Pronunciation: seel tuh PLAY
Informal way to say please
Bienvenue
Welcome
Pronunciation: bee-ahn-vuh-NOO
Welcoming someone
Félicitations
Congratulations
Pronunciation: fay-lee-see-tah-SYOHN
Congratulating someone
S'il vous plaît
Please
Pronunciation: seel voo PLAY
Formal please
Introductions
Learn how to introduce yourself and ask about others:
Je m'appelle...
My name is...
Pronunciation: zhuh ma-PELL
To introduce yourself
Comment vous appelez-vous?
What's your name?
Pronunciation: koh-MAHN voo za-play VOO
Formal way to ask someone's name
Comment tu t'appelles?
What's your name?
Pronunciation: koh-MAHN too ta-PELL
Informal way to ask someone's name
Enchanté(e)
Nice to meet you
Pronunciation: ahn-shahn-TAY
When meeting someone for the first time
Comment allez-vous?
How are you?
Pronunciation: koh-MAHN ta-lay VOO
Formal way to ask how someone is
Comment ça va?
How are you?
Pronunciation: koh-MAHN sah VAH
Informal way to ask how someone is
Common Responses
How to respond when someone asks how you are:
Ça va bien
I'm doing well
Pronunciation: sah VAH bee-AN
Positive response to how are you
Ça va mal
I'm doing badly
Pronunciation: sah VAH mahl
Negative response to how are you
Comme ci, comme ça
So-so
Pronunciation: kohm SEE, kohm SAH
Neutral response to how are you
Très bien
Very well
Pronunciation: tray bee-AN
Very positive response