bonheur
/bɔ.nœʁ/
bonheur is the French word for happiness.
bonheur describes a state of intense happiness or joy. In certain contexts, it can also refer to a stroke of good luck or a fortunate event. Related to this, the word épanouissement conveys the sense of fulfillment and the idiomatic expression saute de joie is used to describe jumping for joy.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of bon meaning good and heur meaning luck or fortune.
Which one should you use?
While bonheur refers to a state of happiness or a stroke of luck, the word joie is used to refer more specifically to the immediate emotion of joy.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bɔ.nœʁ/. It has 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
A common French saying is L'argent ne fait pas le bonheur, which means money doesn't buy happiness.
Did you know?
- The word bonheur shares a common ancestor with the English word 'hap' in 'happen' or 'hapless', both of which originally described chance and luck.
- In French literature and philosophy, bonheur is often contrasted with plaisir, where the former is a stable state and the latter is a sensory, temporary spark.
- The word 'heur' is so rare in modern French that most speakers will only recognize it through the word bonheur itself.
Examples in context
- le vrai bonheurThe true happiness
- une grande félicitéA great happiness
- Quel bonheur de vous revoir !What a joy to see you again!
- Je vous souhaite beaucoup de bonheur.I wish you much happiness.
- Ce voyage fut un pur bonheur.This trip was pure bliss.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are talking about their recent vacation.
- NathanTu as aimé ton voyage ?Did you like your trip?
- ChloéOui, c'était le bonheur absolu !Yes, it was absolute bliss!
- NathanJe suis content pour toi, Chloé.I am happy for you, Chloé.
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Nathan.Thank you very much, Nathan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bonheur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bonheur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
