Formal greetings in French, including phrases for different situations, polite expressions, and cultural tips for using them appropriately.
Formal greetings in French are essential for showing respect and politeness, especially in professional or unfamiliar social settings. They often include titles and more elaborate expressions than casual greetings. Here are some common categories of formal greetings:
- Traditional greetings (e.g., “Bonjour,” “Bonsoir”)
- Polite expressions (e.g., “Comment allez-vous ?”)
- Greetings for special occasions (e.g., “Bonne journée”)
- Addressing people with titles (e.g., “Monsieur,” “Madame”)
- Farewells in formal settings (e.g., “Au revoir”)
Traditional Greetings
These are the basic, time-of-day greetings used in formal contexts. They are simple but polite and can be used with almost anyone.
| French Phrase | English Translation | Example (FR) | Example (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / Good morning | Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? | Hello, how are you? |
| Bonsoir | Good evening | Bonsoir, monsieur Dupont. | Good evening, Mr. Dupont. |
| Salut | Hi (informal) | — | — |
| Bienvenue | Welcome | Bienvenue à notre réunion. | Welcome to our meeting. |
___, monsieur Dupont.
How do you say 'Good evening' in formal French?
Bonsoir
"Bonsoir" is used to greet someone in the evening in a formal context.
Polite Expressions
These expressions are used to ask about someone’s well-being or to show courtesy in a conversation.
| French Phrase | English Translation | Example (FR) | Example (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comment allez-vous ? | How are you? | Bonjour, comment allez-vous aujourd’hui ? | Hello, how are you today? |
| Je vais bien, merci. | I’m fine, thank you. | Merci de demander, je vais bien. | Thanks for asking, I’m fine. |
| Enchanté(e) | Pleased to meet you | Enchantée de faire votre connaissance. | Pleased to meet you. |
| Ravi(e) de vous rencontrer | Nice to meet you | Ravi de vous rencontrer, monsieur. | Nice to meet you, sir. |
Greetings for Special Occasions
These phrases are used to wish someone well at the beginning or end of a formal meeting, or during holidays and other special times.
| French Phrase | English Translation | Example (FR) | Example (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonne journée | Have a good day | Je vous souhaite une bonne journée. | I wish you a good day. |
| Bonne soirée | Have a good evening | Passez une bonne soirée. | Have a good evening. |
| Bon week-end | Have a good weekend | Bon week-end à tous. | Have a good weekend, everyone. |
| Joyeuses fêtes | Happy holidays | Je vous souhaite de joyeuses fêtes. | I wish you happy holidays. |
Addressing People with Titles
In formal French, it’s important to use the correct title before the person’s last name. This shows respect and is standard in professional settings.
| French Phrase | English Translation | Example (FR) | Example (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monsieur + Last Name | Mr. + Last Name | Bonjour, monsieur Martin. | Hello, Mr. Martin. |
| Madame + Last Name | Mrs./Ms. + Last Name | Bonsoir, madame Dupuis. | Good evening, Mrs. Dupuis. |
| Mademoiselle + Last Name | Miss + Last Name (less common) | Mademoiselle Bernard, comment allez-vous ? | Miss Bernard, how are you? |
| Docteur + Last Name | Doctor + Last Name | Bonjour, docteur Lefèvre. | Hello, Dr. Lefèvre. |
Farewells in Formal Settings
Ending a conversation politely is just as important as starting one. These farewells are commonly used in formal or professional contexts.
| French Phrase | English Translation | Example (FR) | Example (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Au revoir | Goodbye | Au revoir, monsieur. | Goodbye, sir. |
| À bientôt | See you soon | À bientôt, madame. | See you soon, ma’am. |
| Je vous remercie | Thank you | Je vous remercie pour votre temps. | Thank you for your time. |
| Bonne continuation | All the best / Good luck | Bonne continuation dans vos projets. | All the best with your projects. |
Formal greetings in French rely on a combination of the right words and the appropriate level of politeness. Using titles, asking about well-being, and choosing the correct time-of-day greeting all help make a positive impression.
___ pour votre temps.
How do you say 'Thank you' formally at the end of a conversation?
Je vous remercie
"Je vous remercie" is a formal way to say 'Thank you' especially in professional contexts.
Flashcards (1 of 20)
- Example (FR): Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
- Example (EN): Hello, how are you?
- English Translation: Hello / Good morning
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
