bon voyage
/bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
In French, the way to say "enjoy your journey" is bon voyage.
bon voyage is used when someone is departing on a trip, whether it is a short vacation or a long expedition.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective bon (good) and the noun voyage (journey/trip).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because voyage is a masculine noun, the adjective bon remains in its masculine form.
Did you know?
- The noun voyage originates from the Latin viāticum, which specifically referred to the money or provisions a traveler needed for their trip.
- In French, there is a specific distinction between bon voyage and bonne route. While the first is general, bonne route is used specifically for those starting a journey by car.
- In Quebec, French speakers may prefer bon séjour over bon voyage to shift the focus from the act of traveling to the pleasure of the destination.
Examples in context
- Bon voyage !Have a good trip!
Example conversation
Gabriel is seeing Léa off at the train station.
- GabrielTu es prête pour ton départ ?Are you ready for your departure?
- LéaOui, le train arrive bientôt.Yes, the train is arriving soon.
- GabrielBon voyage, Léa !Enjoy your journey, Léa!
- LéaMerci beaucoup, Gabriel !Thank you very much, Gabriel!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bon voyage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bon, voyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
