Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| salut | /sa.ly/ | informal |
| coucou | /ku.ku/ | informal |
The available forms are used as informal greetings. salut is a common way to say 'hi' or 'hey'. Additionally, salut is versatile because it can be used both as a greeting (hello) and as a parting (bye) in informal settings.
Which one should you use?
While salut is a standard informal greeting, coucou is a more colloquial and casual option, often described as 'hey there' or 'yo'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
salut is informal. coucou is even more casual and is considered colloquial. It is often used in a cutesy manner among close friends, family or when speaking to children.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, you may encounter several other informal ways to say hello: Allô is used similarly to the English 'Hello', while Hey and Hé are used as informal expressions similar to 'Hey'.
How do you pronounce it?
/sa.ly/
Did you know?
- The cute, colloquial term coucou is actually an imitation of the sound made by a cuckoo bird.
- In many French-speaking cultures, a greeting like salut is often accompanied by 'la bise', the custom of kissing on the cheeks.
- While salut is informal, its root salut also means 'salvation' or 'safety' in French.
Examples in context
- Salut à tous !Hello everyone!This sentence shows how to use salut to greet a group.Tatoeba #10625667 by felix63, translation #854117 by piksea
- Salut ma belle !Hello, beautiful!This sentence demonstrates using salut when addressing a female friend.Tatoeba #594147 by sacredceltic, translation #1265548 by Jefepeters
- Salut mon vieux !Hello, old friend!This sentence shows how to use salut when addressing a male friend.Tatoeba #1551225 by sacredceltic, translation #1549913 by miflhanc
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé meet at a local park.
- NathanSalut Chloé !Hello Chloé!
- ChloéSalut Nathan, ça va ?Hello Nathan, how are you?
- NathanÇa va bien, merci.I am doing well, thanks.
- ChloéMoi aussi, ça va.Me too, I am fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries salut, coucou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coucou, salut, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
