What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'spend a beautiful day' because the verb passer means 'to spend' (time) or 'to pass'.
Which one should you use?
While passe une belle journée is a complete sentence, it is very common and slightly more casual to simply say bonne journée as a shorthand for the same sentiment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form passe une belle journée uses the 'tu' form, making it appropriate for friends, family or peers. For a formal manner, you can use Passez une belle journée. For a polite way to wish someone a pleasant day, you may use Je vous souhaite une agréable journée. In an informal setting, you can also say Je te souhaite une superbe journée to wish someone a superb day.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Quebec region, it is common to say Passe une belle journée ensoleillée to wish someone a beautiful sunny day.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the form passez une belle journée when speaking to more than one person or when addressing a single person formally.
Did you know?
- The word journée comes from the Vulgar Latin word diurnāta, which originally referred to a day's work or a daily wage.
- In many French-speaking cultures, it is considered more polite to use the shorter bonne journée in service settings, like a shop, rather than the full sentence passez une belle journée.
- While passe une belle journée sounds like a command, it is actually the imperative mood used as a wish, a common grammatical feature in French greetings.
Examples in context
- Madame Dupont, passez une belle journée.Madame Dupont, have a beautiful day.
- Merci, toi aussi, passe une belle journée.Thanks, you too, have a beautiful day.
- Au revoir, passe une belle journée avec tes amis.Goodbye, have a beautiful day with your friends.
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are leaving a small cafe.
- ManonAu revoir, Gabriel, passe une belle journée !Goodbye, Gabriel, have a beautiful day!
- GabrielMerci Manon, toi aussi !Thanks Manon, you too!
- ManonÀ bientôt !See you soon!
- GabrielÀ plus tard !See you later!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries journée, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
