Lesson | Quiz
Learning to greet people is an essential part of learning a new language. Whether you're
planning to continue learning French or just learn a few basics in preparation for a trip,
these French greetings can help you on your way. Click the links to hear the word or phrase
pronounced in French.
The basic French greeting is bonjour, which can mean hello, good morning, or good
afternoon. When greeting someone in the evening (beginning around 6pm), say bonsoir.
To greet someone informally at any time of day, you can say salut, meaning hi.
French greeting tips
You should always greet people by saying one of the above. In some countries, it's
acceptable to greet a salesclerk, for example, with just a smile, but not in France - always
start out with a polite bonjour. Even when entering a waiting room or boarding a bus, the
French will mutter bonjour as a general greeting to everyone within earshot.
In addition, if you know the person or are being introduced, you're also expected to either
faire la bise (kiss cheeks) or se serrer la main (shake hands). When arriving at work or
school, this means you should go around the room and individually greet each person.
Don't ever greet people by saying "bon matin" or "bon après-midi" - the first is incorrect
and the second can only be used as a good-bye - read more.
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Lesson | Quiz
Exchanging pleasantries about one's health is typical when greeting someone. There are
several ways to ask how someone is, and which one to use depends on whether you want to
be formal or informal.*
Formal
Asking
Whether talking to one person or more than one, ask Comment allez-vous ? (How are you?)
Answering
Je vais bien (I'm fine)
Bien, merci (Fine, thanks)
Bien, et vous ? (Fine, and you?)
Informal
Asking
The most common question is Ça va ? (literally, Is it going?), and it has variations:
Ça va bien ? (Is it going well?)
Comment ça va ? (How's it going?)
If you're just talking to one person, you can also ask Comment vas-tu ?
Answering
Ça va (Fine)
Ça va bien (I'm doing well)
Pas mal (Not bad)
Bien, et toi ? (Fine, and you?)
Je vais bien (I'm fine)
Learn more about ça va
Familiar
Asking
Quoi de neuf ? (What's new?)
Answering
Rien de nouveau (nothing's new)
Pas grand-chose (not much)
*If you don't understand what formal, informal, and familiar mean here, please see my
lesson on Tu vs Vous.
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Lesson | Quiz
Parting doesn't have to be sweet sorrow. Learn the different ways to say "good-bye"
depending on what exactly you mean.
Au revoir (Good-bye)
Salut (Bye)
À bientôt, À tout à l'heure (See you soon)
À plus, À plus tard (See you later)
(pronunciation of plus)
À demain (See you tomorrow)
À la prochaine (Until next time)
Bonne journée (Have a nice day)
Bon après-midi (Have a nice afternoon)
Bonne soirée (Have a nice evening)
Bonne nuit (Good night)
Adieu (Farewell)
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Even if you're just going to France for a week, you should know some survival French - a
few essential words and phrases that you'll use over and over. This is a somewhat
miscellaneous list of the basics, but be sure to follow the links at the end for even more
essential French like "hello" and "please."
Je parle (un peu de) français
I speak (a little) French.
Parlez-vous anglais ?
Do you speak English?
Comment ?
What?
Je ne comprends pas.
I don't understand.
Que veut-dire ___ ?
What does ___ mean?
Répétez, s'il vous plaît.
Repeat, please.
Plus lentement
More slowly
Encore une fois
One more time
Comment dit-on ___ en français ?
How do you say ___ in French?
Je ne sais pas
I don't know
J'ai une question
I have a question
J'ai un problème
I have a problem
oui yes
non no
si yes (in reponse to a negative question)
d'accord OK
et and
ou or
qui who
quoi what
quand when
où where
pourquoi why
comment how
Note: There are several ways to say "what" in French
