bon voyage
/bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
The English phrase 'safe trip' can be translated into French as bon voyage.
bon voyage is the standard way to express the sentiment of wishing someone a safe trip in French. While it literally translates to 'good journey', it serves the same purpose as 'safe trip'. If you know specifically that someone is traveling by plane, you can use bon vol to mean 'have a good flight'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bon voyage is composed of bon (good) and voyage (journey/trip).
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the phrase into a complete wish or command similar to 'Have a safe trip' in English, you can use the imperative form of the verb faire (to do/make). Use Fais bon voyage ! when speaking to one person informally, and use Faites bon voyage ! when addressing someone formally or addressing a group of people.
Did you know?
- In French culture, wishing bon voyage is often accompanied by a bise, a light kiss on each cheek, depending on the relationship with the traveler.
- The word voyage shares a Latin root, viāticum, with the English word 'via', which is used to describe a route or a way through a place.
- While bon voyage is the standard wish, the word voyage can also refer to a 'journey' in a spiritual or metaphorical sense, such as the transition after death.
Examples in context
- Fais bon voyage !Have a safe trip.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use bon voyage in a complete sentence with the imperative verb.Tatoeba #1763116 by sacredceltic, translation #28483 by CK
- Bon voyage! Profitez bien de vos vacances!Have a safe trip! Enjoy your vacation!
- Bonne route! Sois prudent!Have a safe trip! Drive safely!
- Bon voyage à tout le monde !Have a safe trip, everyone!
- Je vous souhaite un bon voyage.I wish you a pleasant journey.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is at the airport preparing to depart for a vacation.
- ChloéTu pars bientôt, Gabriel ?Are you leaving soon, Gabriel?
- GabrielOui, mon avion décolle dans une heure.Yes, my plane takes off in an hour.
- ChloéAlors, bon voyage !Well, have a safe trip!
- GabrielMerci beaucoup, Chloé.Thank you very much, Chloé.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bon voyage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
