{"id":8773,"date":"2020-03-11T09:42:05","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T08:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/?p=8773"},"modified":"2024-04-03T08:43:04","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T06:43:04","slug":"useful-french-greetings-to-say-hello","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/french-courses-paris\/useful-french-greetings-to-say-hello\/","title":{"rendered":"Practical French Greetings for a Warm Hello"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mastering French: Ways to Express French Greetings and Gratitude<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Typical French Greetings: Bonjour : hello, good day, hi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of you know the formal expression \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb, and you should since it’s the most common way to greet someone in French<\/strong>. We use it to greet people in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening. \u00ab\u00a0Bonjour\u00a0\u00bb is always polite, and works in any situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"UsefulBeware of \u00ab\u00a0salut\u00a0\u00bb : it is very informal and means \u00ab\u00a0hey\u00a0\u00bb, not \u00ab\u00a0hi\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00ab\u00a0Salut\u00a0\u00bb (t silent) is quite used in France, although it is extremely informal<\/strong>. It is not the equivalent of \u00ab\u00a0hi\u00a0\u00bb. When I lived in the United States, I would stop someone in the street and say: \u00ab\u00a0Hi. Could you please tell me where…\u00a0\u00bb. I would never use \u00ab\u00a0salut\u00a0\u00bb like this in French. \u00ab\u00a0Salut\u00a0\u00bb is not to be used with people you don’t know, unless you are a teenager. It’s yet another of these French stereotypes that don’t go away. It’s much more like \u00ab\u00a0hey\u00a0\u00bb in English. So unless you are sure it’s appropriate to use it, stick with \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb.
Note that \u00ab\u00a0salut\u00a0\u00bb can also be used to say \u00ab\u00a0goodbye\u00a0\u00bb, in an informal way among friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about \u00ab\u00a0bonsoir\u00a0\u00bb?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00ab\u00a0Bonsoir\u00a0\u00bb is also used to say hello in French in the evening. So now the big question is: when does the evening start? Well, when it’s night out! This varies tremendously depending on the season in France. But, let’s say that it’s around 6 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00ab\u00a0Bonsoir\u00a0\u00bb can be used as a greeting in France, but also when you leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour madame\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0bonjour monsieur\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0bonjour mademoiselle\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Best<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are talking to one person, it is much more polite in French to say \u00ab\u00a0Bonjour madame, bonjour monsieur, bonjour mademoiselle\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong> and not just \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb (or \u00ab\u00a0bonsoir\u00a0\u00bb).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00ab\u00a0Bonjour\u00a0\u00bb just by itself is fine to use when you are greeting several people, like when you enter in \u00ab\u00a0une boulangerie\u00a0\u00bb (a bakery) with a line of customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour Clara\u00a0\u00bb, \u00ab\u00a0bonjour madame Dupont\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you know the person you are talking to, it is also much more polite to add her\/his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00ab\u00a0Son pr\u00e9nom\u00a0\u00bb (first name) if you are on a first name basis, or monsieur \/ madame \/ mademoiselle and \u00ab\u00a0son nom de famille\u00a0\u00bb (last name) if you are not that close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb \/ \u00ab\u00a0bonsoir\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"French<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In France, you need to say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb out loud when entering a place. It can be a soft, not very loud \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb, but whether you are talking to one salesperson for example, or entering a crowded bakery, you need to say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb to everyone. Now, this has its limits: I wouldn’t say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb to everybody when I enter a crowded caf\u00e9. I will say it to the waiter \/ bar tender, but not to all the customers. However, if there are only a few people sitting at a table, or drinking \u00ab\u00a0un expresso\u00a0\u00bb at the bar, I would say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you need to develop a sense for it. In doubt, do say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb – better be over-polite than rude!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never say \u00ab\u00a0bon matin\u00a0\u00bb or \u00ab\u00a0bon apr\u00e8s-midi\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00ab\u00a0Bon matin\u00a0\u00bb doesn’t exist in French. \u00ab\u00a0Bon (or bonne) apr\u00e8s-midi\u00a0\u00bb is only use when you leave, as goodbye, to say \u00ab\u00a0have a good afternoon\u00a0\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gestures associated with \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb: handshake or kiss(es)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As in many cultures, you can wave \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb from a distance<\/strong>.
If you say \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb to a group of strangers – like in entering a shop – there will be no particular gesture associated with the word \u00ab\u00a0bonjour\u00a0\u00bb. You may nod your head a bit, and of course smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

If you know the person you are greeting, you will either shake hands<\/strong> (a frank, strong hand-shake is preferable) or kiss him\/her on the cheek<\/strong>. This light kisses (often one on each cheek, rarely just one, sometimes three or four total) are extremely common in France among friends and acquaintances.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"La<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Note, however, that the French do NOT hug<\/strong>. Not at all. If cheek kissing is very natural, hugging is a very weird gesture for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s time for me to say \u00ab\u00a0au revoir\u00a0\u00bb(goodbye)\u00a0\u00bb or rather \u00ab\u00a0\u00e0 bient\u00f4t\u00a0\u00bb (see you soon in French).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interested in knowing more about French greetings and customs?
Contact Caroline<\/a><\/strong> to book your private French classes in Paris.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mastering French: Ways to Express French Greetings and Gratitude Typical French Greetings: Bonjour : hello, good day, hi Most of you 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