Good Morning in French: How to Greet People

"Good morning" in French—it's one of the first phrases you'll learn, but there are nuances you should know. Here's how to greet people properly in French, from formal to casual.

The Standard: "Bonjour"

Bonjour is the most common way to say "good morning" and "hello" in French. It's used from morning until around 6 PM.

When to Use

• Morning until evening (roughly until 6 PM)
• Formal and informal contexts
• First greeting of the day when meeting someone

Examples

• Bonjour — Good morning / Hello
• Bonjour, comment allez-vous? — Good morning, how are you? (formal)
• Bonjour, comment ça va? — Good morning, how's it going? (informal)

Formal vs. Informal

Formal Greetings

• Bonjour — Standard formal greeting
• Bonjour, monsieur/madame — Good morning, sir/madam
• Bonjour, comment allez-vous? — Good morning, how are you? (formal)

Informal Greetings

• Salut — Hi (very casual, friends only)
• Coucou — Hey (very casual, playful)
• Bonjour — Still works in casual settings too

Other Morning Greetings

Specific to Morning

• Bonjour — Good morning (until evening)
• Bon matin — Good morning (used in Quebec, less common in France)

Throughout the Day

• Bonjour — Morning until evening (until ~6 PM)
• Bonsoir — Good evening (after ~6 PM)
• Bonne nuit — Good night (before going to sleep)

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Using "bon matin" in France → Use "Bonjour" instead
• ❌ Using "salut" with strangers → Too casual, use "Bonjour"
• ❌ Using "bonsoir" in the morning → Use "Bonjour"

Pronunciation

• Bonjour: Bohn-zhoor (nasal "on" sound, "zh" like "pleasure")
• Practice the nasal "on" sound—it's distinctive to French

Cultural Tips

In France

• "Bonjour" is polite and expected
• Say it when entering shops, cafés, etc.
• Respond with "Bonjour" back

Formality Matters

• When in doubt, use "Bonjour"
• Add "monsieur/madame" for extra politeness
• "Salut" is only for friends

Quick Practice

1. Say "Bonjour" 5 times, focusing on pronunciation.
2. Practice formal: "Bonjour, comment allez-vous?"
3. Practice casual: "Bonjour, comment ça va?"

Master French Greetings

The best way to master French greetings is through practice. Use them in real conversations, get feedback on pronunciation, and watch your confidence grow. Try Parlai and practice French greetings daily through authentic conversations.