French Greetings: How French Speakers Really Say Hello

French greetings depend on time, setting, relationship, and region. Bonjour is the safest daytime greeting, bonsoir begins an evening interaction, and salut suits familiar people. A natural greeting also includes the right form of address and a short next question.

Greetings by situation

French	Meaning / use
Bonjour	Polite daytime greeting
Bonsoir	Polite evening greeting
Salut	Informal hello or goodbye
Coucou	Warm, very informal hello
Bienvenue	Welcome
Comment allez-vous ?	How are you? formal
Ça va ?	How are things? informal
Enchanté / Enchantée	Nice to meet you
Au revoir	Goodbye
Bonne journée	Have a nice day
Bonne soirée	Have a nice evening
À bientôt	See you soon

Tu and vous

Use comment allez-vous ? with vous and comment vas-tu ? with tu. In a new professional or service interaction, vous is the safer opening unless the setting clearly signals informality.

Meeting a colleague

Amina: Bonjour, vous devez être Monsieur Walker.

Ben: Oui, bonjour.

Amina: Je suis Amina. Bienvenue dans l'équipe.

Ben: Merci beaucoup. Enchanté.

Amina: On peut se tutoyer, si vous voulez.

Ben: Avec plaisir.

Mistakes to avoid

• Entering a shop without saying bonjour.
• Using bonne nuit as an evening hello; it normally means good night.
• Mixing tu and salut polite enough?

It is friendly among peers, but bonjour is safer with strangers and staff.

Turn French into a speaking skill

Reading gives you the map; repeated listening, spoken recall, and variation make phrases available in a real conversation. French Through Real Dialogues develops practical exchanges for social life, food, shopping, transport, accommodation, work, services, health, and emergencies.

Continue with the complete French Through Real Dialogues course on Udemy.

Keep learning

• Practice next: French beginner phrases
• Practice next: French etiquette
• Practice next: basic French conversation
• Practice next: French pronunciation