bonne rentrée
The English phrase "welcome back to school" is translated into French as bonne rentrée.
bonne rentrée is used as a greeting or a well-wish during the first few days of the new academic year. You can expand the phrase to address a whole class or group of students by saying Bonne rentrée à tous !, which means "Welcome back to school, everyone!"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "good return", referring to the rentrée scolaire (the return to school/work after summer holidays).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase bonne rentrée, the adjective bonne is in the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun rentrée.
Did you know?
- In France, la rentrée is considered a major national-scale event, almost a second New Year, where the entire country's rhythm shifts back from leisure to work and social duties.
- The word rentrée is used for both school and politics. A government's return to session after the summer break is called la rentrée parlementaire.
- The concept of la rentrée also applies to the 'literary season', where a flood of new books are published in September to coincide with the national return to intellectual life.
Examples in context
- Salut Marie, ravi de te voir de retour à l'école . Cette année va être super avec toi !Hi Marie, thrilled to see you back at school. This year is going to be amazing with you!
- Bonne rentrée à tous les élèves !Welcome back to school to all the students!
- Je vous souhaite une bonne rentrée.I wish you a good start to the school year.
- Bonne rentrée, tout le monde !Welcome back to school, everyone!
Example conversation
Two students meet in the school hallway on the first day.
- HugoSalut Léa ! Bonne rentrée !Hi Léa! Welcome back to school!
- LéaMerci Hugo ! Bonne rentrée à toi aussi.Thanks Hugo! Welcome back to school to you too.
- HugoTu es prête pour les cours ?Are you ready for classes?
- LéaPas vraiment, mais je suis contente d'être là.Not really, but I am happy to be here.
