salut
/sa.ly/
salut is the French way to say goodbye to a friend.
salut is a versatile, informal term used to mean both "hi" or "bye".
Which one should you use?
While salut functions as both a greeting and a farewell, more formal options like bonjour (for hello) or au revoir (for goodbye) are more appropriate for professional or polite contexts. Other informal farewells among friends include à plus tard for "see you later", on se voit demain for "see you tomorrow" and the affectionate bisous, which means "kisses".
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /sa.ly/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using salut with strangers, superiors or in formal business settings, as it is an informal expression.
Did you know?
- In a religious context, salut can mean 'salvation'. This gives the word a double meaning of both a simple greeting and a spiritual rescue.
- While salut is a quick word, friends often pair it with la bise, the custom of kissing both cheeks. The gesture is an essential part of the social ritual of saying goodbye.
- In very old French literature, salut was used as a formal way to greet high-ranking officials. Over centuries, it shifted from the most formal to one of the most informal options.
Examples in context
- Salut, à plus tard !Bye, see you later!
- Salut tout le monde.Bye everyone.
- Je m'en vais, salut !I'm leaving, bye!
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are finishing a coffee together.
- HugoIl est tard, je dois y aller.It is late, I have to go.
- LéaD'accord, salut Hugo !Okay, bye Hugo!
- HugoSalut Léa, à demain.Bye Léa, see you tomorrow.
- LéaÀ demain !See you tomorrow!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry salut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
