Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| bon débarras | /bɔ̃ de.ba.ʁa/ /bɔ̃ de.ba.ʁɑ/ |
| bon vent | /bɔ̃ vɑ̃/ |
Bon débarras is typically used when a person or a thing that was causing trouble or annoyance is finally gone. It expresses the sentiment that a departure or a loss is welcome.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bon (good) and débarras (the act of clearing out or getting rid of something), literally meaning 'good clearance/removal'.
Which one should you use?
While bon débarras is used to express relief at someone's departure, bon vent is a more idiomatic and often sarcastic way to say 'good riddance' or 'good luck elsewhere' (literally 'good wind to you').
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bon débarras is an informal way to say 'good riddance' and carries a strong tone of satisfaction or contempt toward the person leaving. You may also use the informal phrase Enfin débarrassé(e) de lui/elle to express relief that you are 'finally rid of him/her'.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔ̃ de.ba.ʁa/
Did you know?
- The phrase bon vent is a shortened version of the older blessing bon vent et bonne mer, which means 'good wind and good sea'.
- The term débarras can also refer to a 'junk room' or a 'storage room' in a house, which is where one puts things to get rid of them.
- The word débarras in bon débarras shares its roots with the English verb 'bar', as the term originally refers to the act of removing obstacles or barriers.
Examples in context
- Bon débarras !Good riddance!This example shows how to use bon débarras to express 'good riddance!'Tatoeba #747569 by sacredceltic, translation #66680 by Ooneykcall
- Bon débarras, je suis enfin débarrassé(e) de lui/elle!Good riddance, I'm finally rid of him/her!
- Il est enfin parti, bon débarras !He is finally gone, good riddance!
- Elle a quitté l'équipe, bon débarras.She left the team, good riddance.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are discussing a coworker who just quit.
- ManonIl a démissionné ce matin.He resigned this morning.
- LucasAh, bon débarras !Ah, good riddance!
- ManonIl était vraiment insupportable.He was really unbearable.
- LucasOn va être plus tranquilles maintenant.We will be more peaceful now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good riddance” translations and entries bon débarras, bon vent, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bon, débarras, vent, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
