bon voyage
/bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
The French phrase for "good trip" is bon voyage.
Bon voyage is a common and neutral way to wish someone a pleasant journey. For more sincere or formal expressions, you might use the longer Je vous souhaite un bon voyage or the elegant, polite phrase Que votre voyage soit agréable, which means "may your trip be pleasant".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective bon (good) and the noun voyage (trip/journey).
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun phrase within a sentence, bon voyage is masculine and is typically preceded by the indefinite article un, as in un bon voyage.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
Did you know?
- In French, bon voyage can be used ironically to tell someone to 'get lost' or to express a sarcastic farewell when a relationship is ending poorly.
- While 'bon voyage' is a standard wish, French speakers often simply say Bonne route to someone departing by car, literally wishing them a 'good road'.
- The word voyage shares a common ancestor with the English word 'way' via the Latin 'via'.
Examples in context
- C'était un bon voyage.That was a good trip.This sentence uses bon voyage to describe a past trip.Tatoeba #6285979 by Aiji, translation #5008836 by CK
- Vous avez fait bon voyage ?Did you have a good trip?This sentence uses bon voyage to ask if someone had a good trip.Tatoeba #7702139 by Maxence, translation #5442691 by tabular
- Je te souhaite un bon voyage.I hope you have a good trip.This sentence uses bon voyage to express a wish for someone's upcoming trip.Tatoeba #435213 by qdii, translation #435205 by CM
- Madame Dupont, bon voyage et que votre voyage soit agréable!Mrs. Dupont, have a good trip and may your journey be pleasant!
- Je vous souhaite un bon voyage, monsieur.I wish you a good trip, sir.
- Bonnes vacances! Rapporte-nous plein de souvenirs!Have a good vacation! Bring back lots of memories for us!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo is saying goodbye to Emma at the airport.
- HugoBon voyage, Emma !Have a good trip, Emma!
- EmmaMerci beaucoup, Hugo.Thank you very much, Hugo.
- HugoTu arrives à quelle heure ?What time do you arrive?
- EmmaJe arrive demain matin.I arrive tomorrow morning.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
