bonjour et bienvenue
bonjour et bienvenue is the French way to say hello and welcome.
This phrase is a greeting used to welcome someone to a place or an event.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bonjour (good day), et (and) and bienvenue (welcome).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bonjour et bienvenue is appropriate for formal settings, such as a speech, a professional event or a shop entrance. For a more affectionate and informal way to say hello, you might use coucou, which is similar to saying "hey there" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this greeting, bienvenue is used as an interjection and retains the feminine singular form regardless of whom you are addressing.
Did you know?
- While bienvenue is used to welcome guests, in Quebec it is also used to say 'you're welcome' after someone says thank you. This usage is a recent loan from English and is not used in France.
- The phrase bonjour is so central to French culture that failing to say it when entering a shop can be perceived as a serious lack of politeness.
- In very formal French welcoming speeches, the word bienvenue is sometimes used as a noun meaning 'the arrival' rather than just a greeting.
Examples in context
- Bonjour et bienvenue !Hello and welcome!This sentence is useful for seeing how to use bonjour et bienvenue in a greeting.Tatoeba #10460024 by pkill, translation #12484024 by LanguageExpert
- Bonjour et bienvenue à tous.Hello and welcome to everyone.
Example conversation
Léa is greeting Hugo at a small art exhibition.
- LéaBonjour et bienvenue, Hugo !Hello and welcome, Hugo!
- HugoMerci, Léa. C'est un bel endroit.Thank you, Léa. It is a beautiful place.
- LéaJe suis ravie de vous voir ici.I am delighted to see you here.
- HugoMerci beaucoup pour l'invitation.Thank you very much for the invitation.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bienvenue, bonjour, et, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
