bon voyage
/bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
The English phrase "happy journey" is translated into French as bon voyage.
Bon voyage is a phrase used to wish someone a pleasant trip, equivalent to the English expression "Have a good trip!" You can expand this to wish someone a good trip and a safe return by saying Bon voyage et bon retour!
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective bon (good) and the noun voyage (journey/trip).
Which one should you use?
While bon voyage is used for any trip, you may also encounter bonne route, which is often used specifically when someone is departing by car or driving a long distance.
How do you pronounce it?
It consists of 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
When someone says bon voyage to you, the most natural response is Merci! (Thank you!).
Did you know?
- The noun voyage shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'way', both tracing back to the concept of a path or travel through the Proto-Indo-European root for 'going'.
- In French, if you want to wish someone a safe trip specifically by sea, you might use bonne traversée instead of the more general bon voyage.
- The English language borrowed bon voyage directly from French, making it one of the most famous examples of a French loanphrase used globally.
Examples in context
- Bon voyage! Je suis impatient d'entendre toutes les histoires de ton voyage à Paris!Have a good trip! I can't wait to hear all the stories of your journey to Paris!
- Bon voyage à vous deux !Have a nice trip, both of you!
- Je te souhaite un bon voyage.I wish you a pleasant journey.
- Bon voyage, profitez bien de vos vacances !Have a good trip, enjoy your holidays!
Example conversation
Nathan is leaving for a week-long trip to Paris.
- LéaTu pars bientôt pour Paris ?Are you leaving for Paris soon?
- NathanOui, mon train part ce soir.Yes, my train leaves tonight.
- LéaBon voyage, Nathan !Have a happy journey, Nathan!
- NathanMerci beaucoup, Léa !Thank you very much, Léa!
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.
