French Greetings Beyond Bonjour
Everyone knows Bonjour, but French speakers use a rich variety of greetings depending on the time of day, the level of formality, and how well they know the other person. Mastering these 12 greetings will help you sound more natural and navigate social situations in France with confidence.
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French culture places enormous importance on greetings. Walking into a shop without saying Bonjour is considered rude, and choosing the wrong level of formality can create an awkward first impression. This guide organizes the most useful French greetings by formality level so you always know which one to reach for.
All 12 French Greetings at a Glance
Formal Greetings
Use these greetings with strangers, in professional settings, with elders, or any time you want to show respect. In French, formality is closely tied to the pronoun vous.
Bonjour — The Universal Default
Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) literally translates to "good day" and is the safest greeting in any situation. Whether you are entering a bakery, meeting a colleague, or greeting your neighbor, Bonjour is always appropriate. It works from morning until early evening.
Bonsoir — The Evening Counterpart
Bonsoir (bohn-swahr) means "good evening" and replaces Bonjour after roughly 6 PM. You will hear it at restaurants, theatres, and evening social gatherings. It carries the same level of politeness as Bonjour.
Comment allez-vous ? — Formal "How Are You?"
Comment allez-vous ? (koh-mahn tah-lay voo) is the formal way to ask "How are you?" The vous form signals respect and social distance. It is standard in business meetings, with service staff, and when addressing someone older than you.
Enchanté/e — First Introductions
Enchanté (ahn-shahn-tay) means "delighted" or "nice to meet you." Use it the first time you meet someone. If you are a woman, add an e to the end in writing: Enchantée. The pronunciation stays the same.
Ravi/e de vous connaître — A More Elegant Introduction
Ravi/e de vous connaître (rah-vee deh voo koh-neh-truh) translates to "pleased to know you." It is more polished than Enchanté and works well in professional or formal social settings. Like Enchanté, add an e if you are a woman: Ravie.
In France, always greet shopkeepers with Bonjour (or Bonsoir in the evening) when you enter a store. Skipping the greeting is considered one of the biggest social faux pas a visitor can make.
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Informal Greetings
These greetings are for friends, family, classmates, and peers. They use the tu pronoun or skip formal structure altogether.
Salut — The Casual "Hi"
Salut (sah-lew) is the French equivalent of "hi" or "hey." It is the go-to greeting among friends and people of similar age. Interestingly, Salut also doubles as a casual "bye" — you can use it when leaving a conversation with friends.
Coucou — Playful and Affectionate
Coucou (koo-koo) is a light, playful greeting similar to "hey there" or "yoo-hoo." It is used mostly among close friends, romantic partners, or when greeting children. You will also see it frequently in text messages and social media.
Comment vas-tu ? — Informal "How Are You?"
Comment vas-tu ? (koh-mahn vah-tew) is the tu form of "How are you?" Reserve it for people you are on a first-name basis with. It shows genuine interest without the social distance of the vous form.
Ça va ? — Quick and Easy
Ça va ? (sah vah) literally means "It goes?" and is the most casual way to ask how someone is doing. The beauty of this phrase is that it doubles as both the question and the answer: Ça va ? — Ça va ! (I'm fine). You will hear this exchange dozens of times a day in France.
Quoi de neuf ? — "What's New?"
Quoi de neuf ? (kwah deh nuhf) is the French version of "What's new?" or "What's up?" Use it with friends you haven't seen in a while. It signals genuine curiosity and invites the other person to share their latest news.
Be careful with Coucou — while charming among friends, using it with someone you barely know can seem overly familiar or even condescending. Save it for people you are genuinely close with.
Greeting-Adjacent Phrases
Bienvenue — Welcoming Someone
Bienvenue (byahn-veh-new) means "welcome" and is used to welcome someone to a place, event, or group. It is neither formal nor informal — it fits comfortably in any context. Note that unlike English, Bienvenue is not used as a response to "thank you" (that would be De rien or Je vous en prie).
Bonne journée — Parting on a Positive Note
Bonne journée (bohn zhoor-nay) means "Have a good day." While technically a farewell, it is often used as part of the greeting ritual — a shopkeeper might say it as you leave, and you reply Merci, vous aussi ! (Thanks, you too!). The evening equivalent is Bonne soirée (bohn swah-ray).
The French Greeting Ritual: La Bise
No guide to French greetings is complete without mentioning la bise — the cheek-kiss greeting. The number of kisses varies by region: two in Paris, three in Provence, and sometimes four in parts of northern France. Among men, a firm handshake is more common in professional settings, while la bise is reserved for close friends and family.
When in doubt about la bise, let the French person initiate. They will guide the number of kisses and which cheek to start with. If you are unsure, a simple handshake with Bonjour is always well received.
Quick Reference: When to Use Each Greeting
Here is a practical summary to help you pick the right greeting:
- Meeting a stranger or elder: Bonjour (daytime) or Bonsoir (evening)
- Professional context: Bonjour + Comment allez-vous ?
- First introduction: Enchanté/e or Ravi/e de vous connaître
- Greeting a friend: Salut or Ça va ?
- Close friend or partner: Coucou
- Catching up with a friend: Quoi de neuf ?
- Welcoming someone: Bienvenue
- Saying goodbye warmly: Bonne journée or Bonne soirée
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common French greeting?
Bonjour is the most universal French greeting. It literally means "good day" and is appropriate in virtually every situation — with strangers, colleagues, shopkeepers, and friends. You can use it from morning until early evening.
What is the difference between "tu" and "vous" in French greetings?
In French, tu is the informal "you" used with friends, family, and peers, while vous is the formal "you" used with strangers, elders, and in professional settings. Using vous shows respect, and it is always safer to start with vous until invited to use tu.
When should I use "Bonsoir" instead of "Bonjour"?
Switch from Bonjour to Bonsoir (good evening) around 6 PM, or when it starts getting dark. In restaurants and theatres, Bonsoir is the standard greeting for evening events regardless of the exact time.
Is "Salut" too casual for strangers?
Yes. Salut is the equivalent of "hi" or "hey" in English and should only be used with friends, family, or people your own age in casual settings. Using it with a stranger or in a formal context can come across as rude or overly familiar.
How do I say goodbye in French?
The most common farewell is Au revoir (oh reh-vwahr), meaning "goodbye." For casual situations, you can say Salut (bye), À bientôt (see you soon), or Bonne journée / Bonne soirée (have a good day/evening).