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Basic French Greetings and Everyday Phrases

French politeness runs on a formal/informal divide built right into the language, so knowing which register to use matters as much as knowing the words themselves.

Bonjour / Bonsoir — Hello / Good evening

Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) works any time the sun is up, in a shop, an office, or on the street — it is the single most useful word in French. After dark, swap it for Bonsoir (bohn-swahr).

Salut — Hi

Pronounced sah-lew. A relaxed greeting for friends and people your own age; skip it with strangers or anyone older, where Bonjour is the safer choice.

Comment ça va? / Comment allez-vous? — How are you?

The first (koh-mahn sah vah) is for friends (the tu form); the second (koh-mahn tah-lay voo) is the polite version (vous) for strangers, elders, or formal settings.

Ça va bien, merci — I'm doing well, thanks

Pronounced sah vah byehn, mehr-see. The standard reply to either version of 'how are you'.

Je m'appelle ~ — My name is ~

Pronounced zhuh mah-pell. Insert your name after it when introducing yourself.

Enchanté(e) — Nice to meet you

Pronounced ahn-shahn-tay. Said right after learning someone's name; the extra silent 'e' is added when a woman is speaking, though it doesn't change the pronunciation.

Merci / Merci beaucoup — Thank you / Thank you very much

Merci (mehr-see) works anywhere; add beaucoup (boh-koo) to thank someone more emphatically.

S'il vous plaît / S'il te plaît — Please

The first (seel voo pleh) is formal (vous), the second (seel tuh pleh) is casual (tu). Tack either onto the end of a request to soften it.

Pardon / Excusez-moi — Sorry / Excuse me

Pardon (par-dohn) covers a quick, light apology, like bumping into someone; Excusez-moi (ex-kew-zay mwah) is used to politely get someone's attention or ask them to let you pass.

Au revoir / À bientôt — Goodbye / See you soon

Au revoir (oh ruh-vwahr) works for any goodbye, formal or casual. À bientôt (ah byehn-toh) is a lighter sign-off when you expect to see the person again soon.

Tu and vous: the divide that shapes every French greeting

French splits 'you' into tu (informal, for friends, family, and peers) and vous (formal, for strangers, elders, and professional settings). It shows up constantly in greetings — Comment ça va? versus Comment allez-vous?, S'il te plaît versus S'il vous plaît — so defaulting to vous with anyone you don't know well is the safe, polite choice until they invite you to use tu.

Where French greetings actually get used

These phrases work across the francophone world, not just France — Quebec, Belgium, Switzerland, and many West and Central African countries all use French as an official or widely spoken language. Accents vary by region, but the core greetings above are understood everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it enough to just know Bonjour?

Bonjour alone gets you a long way — it is appropriate any time during the day, in almost any setting. Just remember to switch to Bonsoir once evening arrives, since using Bonjour after dark can sound slightly off.

Do these greetings work the same in Quebec or Belgium?

Yes, the core phrases here are standard across French-speaking regions, though you may notice some differences in accent, speed, and a handful of regional words.