Bienvenue
Louisiana, everyday
In Cajun French you welcome a guest with Bienvenue, the same word as in standard French. To welcome someone to the state, say Bienvenue en Louisiane.
Meaning: greeting to a guest (interjection)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Bienvenue | Louisiana, everyday |
| Bienvenue en Louisiane | Louisiana |
Hospitality is a big part of Cajun life, so Bienvenue is often followed by an offer of food or coffee.
Which one should you use?
The word does not change in Cajun French. What sets the speech apart is the accent and some local vocabulary, not this greeting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
You see Bienvenue on road signs and in tourist places in Acadiana, the French-speaking part of Louisiana.
Did you know?
- Acadiana, the Cajun region of Louisiana, is made up of parishes in the south of the state, and Lafayette is its best known city.
Examples in context
- Bienvenue chez nous!Welcome to our home!
- Bienvenue en Louisiane.Welcome to Louisiana.
- Entrez, bienvenue!Come in, welcome!
Example conversation
Madame Landry greets her niece Camille at the door of her house in Lafayette.
- Madame LandryBienvenue, Camille!Welcome, Camille!
- CamilleMerci, tante. Ça sent bon.Thank you, aunt. It smells good.
- Madame LandryJ'ai fait du gombo. Entre.I made gumbo. Come in.
