Informal greetings in French cover how to say hello, ask how someone is, and respond in casual conversations among friends and family.
Informal greetings in French are used in everyday conversations with friends, family, and people you know well. They help you start a chat in a relaxed and natural way, showing friendliness and ease.
Saying Hello
Here are some common ways to say hello informally in French. You’ll notice that French has more than one way to greet, depending on the region or the tone.
| French Greeting | English Equivalent | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salut | Hi / Hey | Salut, comment ça va ? | Hi, how’s it going? |
| Coucou | Hey / Hi (cute) | Coucou, tu es là ? | Hey, are you there? |
| Hé | Hey | Hé, tu viens ? | Hey, are you coming? |
| Allô | Hello (on phone) | Allô, c’est moi ! | Hello, it’s me! |
| Yo | Yo | Yo, quoi de neuf ? | Yo, what’s up? |
___, tu es là ?
Which informal French greeting is often used in a cute or playful way?
Coucou
“Coucou” is an informal and playful way to say 'Hi,' often used among close friends or family, especially in a lighthearted context.
Asking “How Are You?”
Once you say hello, you can ask how someone is doing. These phrases are informal and show you care about their well-being.
| French Phrase | English Equivalent | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ça va ? | How are you? / Are you okay? | Salut, ça va ? | Hi, how are you? |
| Ça roule ? | How’s it going? | Ça roule, ce soir ? | How’s it going tonight? |
| Comment ça va ? | How’s it going? | Comment ça va, toi ? | How’s it going, you? |
| Quoi de neuf ? | What’s new? | Salut, quoi de neuf ? | Hi, what’s new? |
| T’es en forme ? | Are you feeling good? | T’es en forme aujourd’hui ? | Are you feeling good today? |
Responding to “How Are You?”
After someone asks how you are, you can reply with these casual responses. They keep the conversation friendly and easy.
| French Response | English Equivalent | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ça va. | I’m fine. | Ça va, et toi ? | I’m fine, and you? |
| Pas mal. | Not bad. | Pas mal, merci. | Not bad, thanks. |
| Bof. | Meh. | Bof, journée longue. | Meh, long day. |
| Tranquille. | Chill / Easy | Tranquille, et toi ? | Chill, and you? |
| Comme ci, comme ça. | So-so. | Comme ci, comme ça. | So-so. |
Other Friendly Greetings
French speakers often use these expressions to greet people in a warm and informal way, especially after some time apart.
| French Expression | English Equivalent | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| À plus ! | See you later! | Bon, à plus ! | Alright, see you later! |
| À toute ! | See you soon! | À toute, j’arrive ! | See you soon, I’m coming! |
| À plus tard ! | See you later! | À plus tard, prends soin de toi. | See you later, take care. |
| On se voit plus tard ! | See you later! | On se voit plus tard ? | See you later? |
| Salut tout le monde ! | Hi everyone! | Salut tout le monde, prêt pour la fête ? | Hi everyone, ready for the party? |
Understanding these informal greetings will help you join everyday French conversations with confidence and ease.
___ , prends soin de toi.
How would you say 'See you later, take care.' in French using a common informal farewell?
À plus tard
“À plus tard” means 'See you later.' The phrase 'prends soin de toi' means 'take care of yourself.'
Flashcards (1 of 20)
- English Equivalent: Hi / Hey
- English Example: Hi, how’s it going?
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
