French greetings are essential for polite and positive interactions. They vary by time of day and context, reflecting the importance of etiquette in French culture.
- Bonjour: Hello / Good morning (used until early evening)
- Bonsoir: Good evening (used from evening onward)
- Salut: Hi / Bye (informal)
- Au revoir: Goodbye
- À bientôt: See you soon
- À demain: See you tomorrow
Bonjour is used from morning until early evening.
Salut
Saying Hello
- Morning/Afternoon: Bonjour
- Evening: Bonsoir
- Informal: Salut
Saying Goodbye
- Formal: Au revoir
- Informal: Salut
- See You Soon: À bientôt
- See You Tomorrow: À demain
Polite Expressions
- Please: S'il vous plaît (formal), S'il te plaît (informal)
- Thank You: Merci
- You're Welcome: De rien
'Au revoir,' 'Salut,' and 'À bientôt' are all ways to say goodbye.
Merci
Exercises
- Match the French greetings to their English equivalents: Bonjour, Bonsoir, Salut, Au revoir, À bientôt.
- In what situations would you use "S'il vous plaît" versus "S'il te plaît"?
- Write a short dialogue (3-4 lines) in French using at least two greetings and one polite expression.
Conclusion:
French basic greetings are more than just words; they are a gateway to understanding French culture and making a good impression in any social situation.
- Use "Bonjour" and "Bonsoir" appropriately for the time of day.
- "Salut" covers both informal hello and goodbye.
- Politeness is key: always use "s'il vous plaît" and "merci."