Bonjour, monsieur
polite, formal
To a man in the morning say Bonjour, monsieur. French uses bonjour for both "good morning" and "hello". It is also called Bonjour ! and Salut !
Meaning: morning greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Bonjour, monsieur | polite, formal |
| Bonjour ! | neutral |
| Salut ! | casual |
Add monsieur for politeness with a man you do not know well. With a friend, Salut or Bonjour with his name is enough.
Which one should you use?
There is no separate "good morning". Bonne matinée is only a wish for the morning when you part. You keep saying bonjour until the evening.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a shop, an office or a bus the greeting Bonjour, monsieur is expected before any request.
Did you know?
- Bonjour is literally "good day" and is used in French from morning until early evening.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, monsieur. Comment allez-vous ?Good morning, sir. How are you?
- Bonjour, Paul !Good morning, Paul!
- Bonne journée, monsieur.Have a good day, sir.
Example conversation
Clara enters a pharmacy in Nice and greets the pharmacist (Pharmacien).
- ClaraBonjour, monsieur.Good morning, sir.
- PharmacienBonjour, madame. Je vous écoute.Good morning, madam. I am listening.
- ClaraJe cherche du sirop pour la toux.I am looking for cough syrup.
- PharmacienVoici ce qu'il vous faut.Here is what you need.
