What does it mean word for word?
The phrase soyez les bienvenus literally translates to "be the welcomed ones". In this construction, soyez is the imperative form of the verb "to be" and bienvenus is the plural adjective for "welcome".
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on whom you are addressing. Use Soyez le bienvenu for a single man and soyez la bienvenue for a single woman. Use soyez les bienvenues when welcoming a group consisting only of women, while soyez les bienvenus is used for a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The full phrase soyez les bienvenus is formal and polite because it uses the vous form of the imperative (soyez). In casual or informal settings, it is common to simply say Bienvenue! instead of the full construction.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree with the gender and number of the people being welcomed: soyez le bienvenu for a male, soyez la bienvenue for a female, soyez les bienvenus for males or mixed groups and soyez les bienvenues for a group of females.
Did you know?
- While Bienvenue! is used to greet guests, it is never used as a response to 'thank you'. For that purpose, French speakers use phrases like De rien or Je vous en prie.
- When bienvenue is used as a noun to mean 'a welcome', such as in the phrase Je vous souhaite la bienvenue, it is always feminine regardless of the gender of the person being greeted.
- The word bienvenue is a compound of bien and venue, which literally describes the act of 'arriving well'.
Examples in context
- Soyez les bienvenus dans notre nouvelle maison.Be welcome in our new home.
Example conversation
Chloé welcomes Nathan and his partner into her home.
- ChloéEntrez, soyez les bienvenus !Come in, be welcome!
- NathanMerci beaucoup pour votre accueil, Chloé.Thank you very much for your welcome, Chloé.
- ChloéC'est un plaisir de vous voir.It is a pleasure to see you.
- NathanNous sommes très heureux d'être ici.We are very happy to be here.
