Bienvenue à Paris
Bienvenue à Paris is the French way to say "Welcome to Paris".
This phrase is a greeting used to welcome someone who has just arrived in the city of Paris.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Welcome to Paris", where Bienvenue means "welcome" and à means "to".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly omit the final e in Bienvenue when using it as a greeting. However, the greeting form always retains the e.
Did you know?
- In French Canada, bienvenue is sometimes used to mean 'you're welcome' as a response to 'thank you', a usage borrowed from English.
- While the name 'Paris' is a global icon, it actually derives from the 'Parisii', a Gaulish tribe that inhabited the area long before the Romans.
- While Bienvenue à Paris is the standard greeting, the word bienvenu without the final e is used as an adjective to describe a guest who is welcome.
Examples in context
- Bienvenue à Paris! Nous espérons que vous apprécierez votre séjour dans notre établissement.Welcome to Paris! We hope you enjoy your stay in our establishment.
- Salut Jean! Sois le bienvenu à Paris! Je suis ravi de te revoir.Hi Jean! Be welcome to Paris! I'm delighted to see you again.
- Bienvenue à Paris ! J'espère que vous allez aimer la ville.Welcome to Paris! I hope you are going to like the city.
- Bienvenue à Paris, mon ami.Welcome to Paris, my friend.
Example conversation
Lucas meets Chloé at the train station in Paris.
- LucasSalut Chloé, Bienvenue à Paris !Hi Chloé, welcome to Paris!
- ChloéMerci Lucas, je suis très contente d'être là.Thank you Lucas, I am very happy to be here.
- LucasTu as passé un bon voyage ?Did you have a good trip?
- ChloéOui, le trajet était très calme.Yes, the journey was very calm.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Paris, bienvenue, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
