What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bon (good), jour (day) and maman (mom/mother).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Maman is the standard, affectionate way for a child or an adult child to address their mother. This is more informal than using mère, which is more formal or clinical. For a formal greeting to a woman who is not your mother, such as "good morning ma'am", you should use Bonjour, Madame. To make this greeting more personal and respectful, you can add a person's last name after Madame.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, Bon matin, Madame is used to greet someone in the morning instead of bonjour.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, you do not need a preposition like "to" between the greeting and the person being addressed. You simply say the greeting followed by the noun.
Did you know?
- The term maman is an example of universal baby talk, mirroring the simple, repetitive sounds that infants across various cultures use when first learning to communicate.
- While many languages use different terms for different ages, an adult in France can continue to use the affectionate maman to address their mother without it sounding childish.
- While maman is the affectionate standard, using the word mère to address a parent directly is often perceived as cold or emotionally distant.
Examples in context
- Bonjour maman, tu as bien dormi ?Good morning mom, did you sleep well?
- Bonjour maman, je voudrais un café.Good morning mom, I would like a coffee.
- Bonjour maman, je pars à l'école.Good morning mom, I am leaving for school.
Example conversation
Emma enters the kitchen where her mother is preparing breakfast.
- EmmaBonjour maman, ça sent bon !Good morning mom, it smells good!
- HugoBonjour Emma, assieds-toi.Good morning Emma, sit down.
- EmmaMerci, je vais prendre un café.Thanks, I'll have a coffee.
- HugoC'est parfait, c'est déjà prêt.That's perfect, it's already ready.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bonjour, bonjour, maman, CC BY-SA 4.0.
