Bonjour
standard
In the afternoon you still say Bonjour in French. There is no separate afternoon hello, and Bonjour is used until it gets dark. It is also called Salut and Bon après-midi.
Meaning: afternoon greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Bonjour | standard |
| Salut | casual |
| Bon après-midi | wish |
Say Bonjour when you arrive at 2 pm just as you would at 10 am. Switch to Bonsoir in the evening.
Which one should you use?
Bon après-midi means "have a good afternoon". It is mostly said when parting, not when meeting someone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Salut is only for friends and family.
Did you know?
- The shift from Bonjour to Bonsoir has no fixed hour, but many people change around six in the evening.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, je viens pour le rendez-vous de quinze heures.Hello, I am here for the three o'clock appointment.
- Bonjour, vous allez bien?Hello, how are you?
- Merci, bon après-midi!Thank you, have a good afternoon!
Example conversation
Karim arrives at a dentist's office at 3 pm in Marseille and speaks to the receptionist.
- KarimBonjour, j'ai rendez-vous à quinze heures.Hello, I have an appointment at three.
- RéceptionnisteBonjour, monsieur. Votre nom, s'il vous plaît?Hello, sir. Your name, please?
- KarimKarim Benali.Karim Benali.
