bonjour madame
The English phrase "hello madam" is translated into French as bonjour madame.
bonjour madame is a polite greeting used when speaking to a woman. It can be understood as "Good day, madam."
What does it mean word for word?
The term bonjour is a combination of bon, meaning "good" and jour, meaning "day".
Which one should you use?
While bonjour madame is the standard greeting used during the day, you should use bonsoir madame once the evening has arrived.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bonjour madame is a formal and polite phrase. If you are speaking with friends or peers, you would use the informal alternative salut.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase bonjour madame functions as a complete greeting on its own and does not require a verb to work in a social encounter.
When do people say it?
In French culture, it is standard etiquette to include a title like madame when greeting a woman whom you do not know personally.
Did you know?
- If you address a woman as mademoiselle instead of madame, it may be seen as a political statement, as the government officially stopped using the title on administrative forms in 2012.
- In France, failing to say bonjour when entering a shop or starting a conversation is often viewed as an act of aggression or extreme rudeness.
- While madame now means 'Mrs.' or 'madam', it originally comes from ma dame, meaning 'my lady'.
Examples in context
- Bonjour Madame !Hello Madam!This sentence shows how to use bonjour madame as a greeting.Tatoeba #482479 by sacredceltic, translation #6581114 by Eccles17
- Bonjour, madame. Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui?Good day, madam. How are you today?
- Bonjour madame, comment allez-vous ?Hello madam, how are you?
- Bonjour madame, je voudrais un café.Hello madam, I would like a coffee.
Example conversation
Nathan enters a small bakery to see Chloé.
- NathanBonjour madame, je voudrais un croissant.Hello madam, I would like a croissant.
- ChloéBonjour ! En voici un pour vous.Hello! Here is one for you.
- NathanMerci beaucoup.Thank you very much.
- ChloéDe rien, bonne journée !You're welcome, have a good day!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bonjour, madame, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
