Bonjour
standard, polite
Bonjour is the standard French "hello". It literally means "good day" and works from the morning until the early evening. It is also called Salut and Bonsoir.
Meaning: hello, good day (interjection)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Bonjour | standard, polite |
| Salut | casual |
| Bonsoir | evening |
Use Bonjour when entering a shop, meeting a colleague or answering the door. In France people expect a greeting before any request.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Salut is for friends and family. In the evening use Bonsoir. Bonjour is polite with anyone.
How do you pronounce it?
Bonjour sounds like "bon-ZHOOR". The n nasalizes the vowel and is not fully pronounced.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners often skip it. Starting a question with Excusez-moi without Bonjour can seem abrupt.
Did you know?
- Bonjour combines bon (good) and jour (day) and has been the main French greeting for centuries.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.Hello, I would like a coffee, please.
- Bonjour à tous!Hello everyone!
Example conversation
Anna enters a pharmacy in Strasbourg and greets the pharmacist Madame Weber.
- AnnaBonjour, madame.Hello, madam.
- Madame WeberBonjour, que puis-je faire pour vous?Hello, how can I help you?
- AnnaJe cherche du sirop pour la toux.I am looking for cough syrup.
