How to Say "Best Wishes" in French

meilleurs vœux

The English phrase "best wishes" is translated into French as meilleurs vœux.

Meilleurs vœux is a formal expression used to convey "best wishes."

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of meilleurs (best) and vœux (wishes/vows).

The noun vœux is the plural form of vœu (wish/vow), and the adjective meilleurs must agree in gender and number.

The word vœu is a linguistic relative of the English word 'vow'. Both derive from the Latin word votum, meaning a promise made to a deity.
In France, saying meilleurs vœux is a standard ritual specifically for the New Year, whereas in English, 'best wishes' is used more broadly for many occasions.
The word vœu also means 'vow' in a religious or legal sense. This gives the phrase a weight of solemnity and commitment that 'wishes' lacks in English.

Elle t'a envoyé ses meilleurs vœux.
She sent you her best wishes.
This sentence shows how someone might send their meilleurs vœux to another person.
Tatoeba #6724494 by GB3, translation #308158 by CK
Meilleurs vœux de notre part à tous.
Best wishes from all of us.
This sentence demonstrates using meilleurs vœux to represent a group of people.
Tatoeba #4561937 by sacredceltic, translation #2819986 by patgfisher
Transmets mes meilleurs vœux à Peter.
Please pass on my best wishes to Peter.
This sentence illustrates how to ask someone to pass on your meilleurs vœux to a third party.
Tatoeba #3622130 by fleur74, translation #6176039 by sundown
Je vous présente mes meilleurs vœux pour votre réussite
I offer you my best wishes for your success
Je te souhaite beaucoup de bonheur
I wish you a lot of happiness
Je vous présente mes meilleurs vœux pour votre nouvelle carrière. Votre professionnalisme et votre travail acharné méritent cette promotion.
I offer you my best wishes for your new career. Your professionalism and hard work deserve this promotion.
Je te souhaite plein de réussite dans ton nouveau travail. Tu es compétent(e) et passionné(e), donc je suis sûr(e) que ce sera une expérience formidable pour toi!
I wish you much success in your new job. You are competent and passionate, so I'm sure it will be a fantastic experience for you!
6 more sentences on Tatoeba

Gabriel and Emma are greeting each other at the start of the New Year.

Gabriel

Meilleurs vœux pour cette nouvelle année, Emma !
Best wishes for this new year, Emma!
Emma

Merci beaucoup, Gabriel ! Meilleurs vœux à toi aussi.
Thank you very much, Gabriel! Best wishes to you too.
Gabriel

Est-ce que tout va bien pour toi ?
Is everything going well for you?
Emma

Oui, je suis très heureuse.
Yes, I am very happy.

Sources

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