Bon voyage
/bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
The English phrase "have a great trip" is translated into French as Bon voyage.
Bon voyage is the most common and widely used way to wish someone a great trip in French.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective bon (good) and the noun voyage (journey/trip).
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike the English equivalent, the French phrase does not require a verb like avoir (to have) to be grammatically complete.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, bon voyage is often paired with the gesture of a light wave or a kiss on the cheek, depending on the closeness of the travelers.
- French has a specific distinction between a voyage, which is usually a long journey, and a trajet, which refers to the specific route or distance between two points.
- The word voyage shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'way', both stemming from the Latin root for 'path' or 'road'.
Examples in context
- Bon voyage ! Et n'oublie pas que je t'aime !Have a great trip! And don’t forget that I love you!This sentence is useful for practicing the use of Bon voyage.Tatoeba #7745162 by felix63, translation #12091996 by mhulbert
- Bon voyage!Have a great trip.
- Profite bien de ton/votre voyage!Let me know how it goes.
- Bon voyage, on se voit bientôt.Have a great trip, we will see each other soon.
Example conversation
Lucas is at the airport saying goodbye to Chloé.
- LucasBon voyage, Chloé !Have a great trip, Chloé!
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Lucas.Thank you very much, Lucas.
- LucasProfite bien de tes vacances.Enjoy your holidays.
- ChloéC'est gentil, à bientôt !That's kind, see you soon!
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry bon voyage.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bon, voyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
