What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bon été literally translates to "good summer".
Which one should you use?
While bon été is a common shorthand, you can use the more complete form passe un bon été to say "have a good summer". If you are speaking to more than one person or using the formal vous, you should use passez un bon été.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bon été is an informal, elliptical form often used in casual conversation or written notes because it omits the verb passer (to spend/have). For formal situations, you can use Passez un excellent été! to say "Have a great summer!" or Je vous souhaite un été merveilleux! to say "I wish you a wonderful summer!" In informal settings, you might say Passe un super été! for "Have an awesome summer!", Je te souhaite un été exceptionnel! for "I wish you an exceptional summer!" or Profite bien de ton été! to mean "Enjoy your summer!"
Did you know?
- The word été shares a common ancestor with the English word 'fire', tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to burn'.
- While bon été is common, you will often see the phrase bonnes vacances used instead, even if the person is not traveling. In France, the concept of 'summer' is almost inseparable from the idea of 'vacations'.
- In France, the summer break is culturally referred to as les grandes vacances, meaning 'the great holidays'.
Examples in context
- Passe un été fantastique!Have a fantastic summer!
- Chère Sophie, je te souhaite un été incroyable rempli d'aventures et de découvertes! Profite bien des belles journées ensoleillées, des longues soirées et des vacances bien méritées. Passe un super été!Dear Sophie, I wish you an incredible summer filled with adventures and discoveries! Enjoy the beautiful sunny days, the long evenings, and the well-deserved vacation. Have an awesome summer!
- Bon été à tous !Have a great summer, everyone!
- Passe un bon été !Have a great summer!
- Je vous souhaite un bon été.I wish you a great summer.
- Merci, toi aussi, bon été !Thanks, you too, have a great summer!
Example conversation
Two colleagues are saying goodbye on their last day before the summer break.
- ChloéAu revoir Hugo, bon été !Goodbye Hugo, have a great summer!
- HugoMerci Chloé, toi aussi !Thanks Chloé, you too!
- ChloéOn se voit à la rentrée.See you when we get back.
- HugoOui, à bientôt !Yes, see you soon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bon, été, CC BY-SA 4.0.
