bon voyage
/bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
The English phrase "have a good trip" is translated into French as bon voyage.
Bon voyage is a common way to wish someone a pleasant journey. While bon voyage focuses on the journey itself, you might use other phrases depending on the context: use bon séjour to wish someone a pleasant stay at their destination or use bonnes vacances if the person is specifically going on vacation.
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?
Because voyage is a masculine noun, the masculine form of the adjective bon is used in the phrase bon voyage.
Did you know?
- A common social custom in France is to reply to bon voyage with merci and then add à bientôt if the speaker is the one staying behind.
- The word voyage shares a common ancestor with the English word 'viaticum', which refers to the provisions or money provided to a traveler for a journey.
- In French, if you are wishing someone a good journey specifically while they are driving, it is often more natural to say bonne route instead of bon voyage.
Examples in context
- Vous avez fait bon voyage ?Did you have a good trip?This sentence is useful for asking if someone had a good trip using bon voyage.Tatoeba #7702139 by Maxence, translation #5442691 by tabular
- Je te souhaite un bon voyage.I hope you have a good trip.This sentence is useful for wishing someone a good trip using bon voyage.Tatoeba #435213 by qdii, translation #435205 by CM
- Bon voyage ! Appelle-moi de Paris.Have a good trip! Call me from Paris!Tatoeba #6039457 by christian63, translation #6794879 by Eccles17
- Je voulais juste vous souhaiter un bon voyage et espérer vous revoir bientôt.I just wanted to wish you a good trip and hope to see you soon.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is at the airport seeing Chloé off.
- NathanBon voyage, Chloé !Have a good trip, Chloé!
- ChloéMerci Nathan, c'est très gentil.Thank you Nathan, that is very kind.
- NathanProfite bien de tes vacances.Enjoy your vacation.
- ChloéMerci, je t'appelle bientôt !Thank you, I will call you soon!
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.
