Introduction
One of the crucial, yet overlooked aspects of learning French is mastering the art of saying hi. When you are travelling to France or communicating with French people for work, knowing how to say hi in French is the first step to create a good impression. People appreciate when you make an effort to greet them in their own language since it shows that you respect their culture. This article will guide you to learn various ways to say hi in French, so that you can confidently greet any French person like a pro.
Bonjour All the Way: Learn How to Say Hi in French Like a Pro
The most commonly used greeting in French is “bonjour.” It is an appropriate and polite way to greet someone in all situations. The meaning of “bonjour” is “good day” or “hello.” It is not just a greeting but an indication of politeness and respect towards others.
Pronunciation guide for “bonjour”: To pronounce “bonjour,” say bon (rhymes with “cone”) and jour (rhymes with “tour”).
Examples of when to use “bonjour”:
- When you enter a shop or restaurant
- When you meet strangers or colleagues at work
- When you see a friend or a family member in the morning
Mastering French Greetings: The Ultimate Guide to Saying Hi in French
French people take greeting culture seriously. Unlike casual English greetings, French greetings are more formal. Therefore, it is essential to know the different ways of greeting people in French.
Other common French greetings (besides “bonjour”):
- Bon matin (good morning)
- Bonne après-midi (good afternoon)
- Bonne soirée (good evening/night)
Explanation of nuances in French greetings:
- French greeting culture is more formal than casual greetings used in English
- French people commonly kiss on both sides of the face to greet their friends, families and acquaintances. This is known as “la bise” and the number of kisses depends upon the region
Saying Hi in French: 5 Simple Phrases to Make an Impression
Learning additional French greetings can help you create a positive impression with French people. Here are a few simple ways to say hi in French:
1. Salut! (Hi/Hello): Salut is a friendly and informal greeting commonly used among friends and peers.
Pronunciation guide for “salut”: To pronounce “salut,” say sah (rhymes with “car”) and luh (rhymes with “shoe”).
2. Comment ça va? (How are you?): This phrase is not just a greeting but also a question asking about the person’s well-being.
Pronunciation guide for “comment ça va?”: To pronounce “comment ça va?,” Say kuh-mon (rhymes with “gone”) – sah (rhymes with “car”) – vah (sounds like “vah”) –
3. Enchanté(e) (Pleased to meet you): This greeting is used when meeting someone for the first time officially.
Pronunciation guide for “enchanté(e)”: To pronounce “enchanté(e),” Say on (rhymes with “gone”)- shan (sounds like “shon”) – tay (sounds like “tay”)
4. Coucou (Hi there): Coucou is an affectionate and informal greeting used between friends and family members.
Pronunciation guide for “coucou”: To pronounce “coucou,” Say coo (rhymes with “moo”) – coo (rhymes with “moo”)
5. Bonsoir (Good evening): It is used in the late afternoon or evening to greet someone in an elegant or formal way.
Pronunciation guide for “bonsoir”: To pronounce “bonsoir,” say bon (rhymes with “cone”) – swah (sounds like “swa”) –
Fluent in French Greetings: How to Say Hi in Multiple Ways
If you aim to sound like a native speaker, learning more advanced and regional greetings can impress French people. Here are some French greetings you can use to practice:
1. Ça va? (How’s it going?): is an informal and friendly greeting common among peers.
Pronunciation guide for “ça va?”: Say sah (rhymes with “car”) – vah (sounds like “vah”).
2. Bonne journée (Have a good day): This greeting is a polite way to wish someone a good day.
Pronunciation guide for “bonne journée”: Say bon (rhymes with “cone”) – joe-oor-nay (rhymes with “doorway”)-
3. Salut ça va? (Hi, how’s it going?): This greeting is a combination of the two friendly greetings “salut” and “ça va?”
Pronunciation guide for “salut ça va?”: Say sah (rhymes with “car”) – loo – sah (rhymes with “car”) – vah (sounds like “vah”) –
4. Allô (Hello): is used as a telephone greeting in French.
Pronunciation guide for “allô”: Say ah (sounds like “ahh”) – loh (sounds like “low”).
Say Salut!: The Casual Way to Say Hi in French
If you’re looking for a casual greeting, salut can be the perfect option. It is an informal way to greet your friends and peers.
Explanation of “salut”: Salut is a casual greeting used among friends and peers. It is always better to avoid using a salut with people you met for the first time as it might seem disrespectful or arrogant.
When to use “salut”: Use it in casual get-togethers or when meeting your peers or friends outside of the workplace.
Pronunciation guide for “salut”: To pronounce “salut,” Say sah (rhymes with “car”) and luh (rhymes with “shoe”).
Classy and Formal Ways to Say Hi in French: Your Guide to Proper French Etiquette
French is a formal language, and therefore, many formal greetings are used in different scenarios. Here are some eloquent and formal ways to greet people in French:
1. Bonjour madame/monsieur (Good morning/afternoon, ma’am/sir): It is a formal way to greet someone officially.
Pronunciation guide for “bonjour madame/monsieur”: To pronounce “bonjour madame/monsieur,” say bah (rhymes with “mama”) – zhoor (sounds like “jore”) – mah-dahm (sounds like “mah-dahm”)/muh-shur (rhymes with “sir”).
2. Comment allez-vous? (How are you?): A polite way to ask about the other person’s well-being.
Pronunciation guide for “comment allez-vous?”: To pronounce “comment allez-vous,” say kuh-mon (rhymes with “gone”) – ta-lay – voo (sounds like “voo”).
3. Bonne soirée (Good evening): A formal way to say goodbye to someone.
Pronunciation guide for “bonne soirée”: To pronounce “bonne soirée,” say bon (rhymes with “cone”) – swah (sounds like “swa”) – reh (sounds like “rey”).
Conclusion
Etiquette is an essential aspect of French culture, and greeting someone correctly can make a huge difference in your social interactions. Learning how to greet people in French can be a fun and rewarding experience. This article has introduced you to basic and advanced ways of saying hi in French. We hope you can use these greetings to build a positive interaction with the French people.
Final Thoughts and Tips:
- Try to use appropriate greetings according to the social occasion and hierarchical status of the person you’re greeting.
- Practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to practice speaking French greetings aloud.
- If in doubt, use “bonjour” as it is an appropriate and polite way to greet almost everyone in France.