bon week-end
In French, have a nice weekend is bon week-end.
This phrase is a friendly wish used when saying goodbye to someone before the weekend begins. It is typically used as a parting expression on Friday afternoon or Saturday, rather than as a full sentence containing a verb.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal shortening of Je vous souhaite un bon week-end (I wish you a good weekend) and translates literally to good weekend.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because week-end is a masculine noun in French, the adjective bon remains in its masculine singular form.
When do people say it?
When someone says bon week-end to you, a common polite response is Merci, vous aussi (Thank you, you too) or, in informal settings, Merci, toi aussi (Thank you, you too).
Did you know?
- While bon week-end is standard in France, people in Quebec prefer bonne fin de semaine to avoid using an English loanword.
- In some highly formal French contexts, saying bon week-end too early in the week might be seen as an accidental hint that you are eager to stop working.
- Although the phrase is used to wish someone a good time, the word week-end is a direct loanword from English and is not a native French construction.
Examples in context
- Avez-vous passé un bon week-end ?Did you have a nice weekend?This sentence shows how to use the phrase in a question about someone's past weekend.Tatoeba #8377777 by Aiji, translation #1504131 by argabo
- Bon week-end.Have a nice weekend.This sentence demonstrates the phrase used as a parting wish.Tatoeba #9397 by sacredceltic, translation #21294 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are leaving the office on a Friday afternoon.
- LucasSalut Chloé, à lundi !Bye Chloé, see you Monday!
- ChloéÀ lundi Lucas, bon week-end !See you Monday Lucas, have a nice weekend!
- LucasMerci, toi aussi !Thanks, you too!
- ChloéMerci, salut !Thanks, bye!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
