bon week-end
The English phrase "enjoy the weekend" is translated into French as bon week-end.
bon week-end is a parting expression used to wish someone a pleasant time during their weekend. It is typically said when leaving a conversation or a workplace on a Friday or Saturday.
Which one should you use?
While the English "enjoy the weekend" uses a verb, the French equivalent bon week-end functions as an adjective-noun pairing used as an interjection. To refer to multiple weekends, the plural form bons week-ends is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase bon week-end is a shortened version of passe un bon week-end (have a good weekend) and is used as a standalone greeting.
When do people say it?
When someone says bon week-end, a common response is Merci, vous aussi ! (Thank you, you too!) if you are speaking to someone formally or to a group or Merci, toi aussi ! if you are speaking to a friend.
Did you know?
- The word week-end is a direct loan from English, but the French Académie once tried to ban it in favor of fin de semaine.
- While bon week-end is standard in France, people in Quebec typically use the phrase bonne fin de semaine.
- In French, the term week-end is often used as a noun to describe a short trip, such as faire un week-end à Paris.
Examples in context
- Passez un bon weekend, Madame Robert. Bon samedi!Have a good weekend, Mrs. Robert. Have a nice Saturday!
- Passez un bon weekend prolongé, Monsieur Dupuis!Have a good extended weekend, Mr. Dupuis!
- Bon week-end à tous !Have a good weekend, everyone!
- Je te souhaite un bon week-end.I wish you a good weekend.
- Merci, bon week-end à toi aussi.Thanks, have a good weekend too.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are leaving the office on a Friday afternoon.
- EmmaSalut Hugo, bon week-end !Bye Hugo, have a good weekend!
- HugoMerci Emma, toi aussi.Thanks Emma, you too.
- EmmaÀ lundi !See you Monday!
- HugoÀ lundi.See you Monday.
