Bonne journée !
To say "have a good day" in French, use Bonne journée !
Bonne journée ! is a polite phrase used specifically to wish someone well for the remainder of the day as you are parting ways. Instead, use it when leaving or ending a conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally translating to "Good day", the phrase consists of bonne, which is the feminine form of "good" and journée, which refers to the duration of the day.
Which one should you use?
While Bonne journée ! is used when leaving or ending a conversation, you should use Bonjour when arriving or starting a conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase uses the feminine noun journée, the adjective must take the feminine form bonne.
When do people say it?
When someone wishes you Bonne journée, you can respond with à vous aussi (to you too) or merci, vous aussi (thank you, you too).
Did you know?
- If you use the phrase Bon jour instead of Bonjour or Bonne journée, you are no longer wishing someone a good day, but are instead literally commenting that the light or the weather is good.
- The word journée descends from the Vulgar Latin word *diurnāta, which relates to things done during the day.
- Because journée refers to the duration of the day, you cannot use Bonne journée in the evening. After sunset, you must switch to Bonne soirée to wish someone a good evening.
Examples in context
- Passe une bonne journée, mon ami!Have a good day, my friend!
- Je m'en vais maintenant. Bon après-midi!I'm leaving now. Have a good afternoon!
- Bonne journée !Have a good day!
- Allez, bonne journée !Anyway, have a good day!
Example conversation
Léa is leaving a coffee shop where Lucas works.
- LéaMerci pour le café, Lucas.Thanks for the coffee, Lucas.
- LucasDe rien, Léa. Bonne journée !You're welcome, Léa. Have a good day!
- LéaMerci, vous aussi !Thanks, you too!
- LucasÀ bientôt !See you soon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries journée, CC BY-SA 4.0.
