passe un bon moment
To say "have a wonderful time" in French, you use passe un bon moment.
This phrase is used to wish someone enjoyment during an activity or an event.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase passe un bon moment literally translates to "spend a good moment".
Which one should you use?
While passe un bon moment focuses on the quality of the time spent, amuse-toi bien is a more common, idiomatic way to say "have fun" or "enjoy yourself".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québécois French, you may hear the variations Passe un beau moment ! and Amuse-toi en masse !
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person, or when using the formal vous with a single person, use the form passez un bon moment.
Did you know?
- The word moment comes from the Latin mōmentum, which originally referred to the smallest possible unit of time or a tiny movement of a scale.
- The Québécois expression amuse-toi en masse uses the phrase en masse to mean 'a lot' or 'plenty'. In France, en masse is typically used to describe a large crowd of people rather than a quantity of fun.
- French speakers often distinguish between bon and bien in ways English does not. While bon describes the quality of the 'moment' itself, bien is used in amuse-toi bien to describe the manner in which the action of having fun is performed.
Examples in context
- Passe un bon moment au concert !Have a wonderful time at the concert!
- Passe un bon moment avec tes amis.Have a wonderful time with your friends.
- Passe un bon moment pendant tes vacances.Have a wonderful time during your holidays.
Example conversation
Léa is seeing Hugo off as he goes to a party.
- LéaTu vas à la fête de Julie, n'est-ce pas ?You are going to Julie's party, aren't you?
- HugoOui, j'ai très hâte d'y être.Yes, I am really looking forward to it.
- LéaD'accord, passe un bon moment !Okay, have a wonderful time!
- HugoMerci Léa, à demain.Thanks Léa, see you tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bon, moment, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
