Saying Hello the French Way
Greet shopkeepers, neighbours and friends in Paris the way locals do, from « Bonjour, monsieur » to « Allez, à plus ! ».
In France you say « Bonjour » every time you walk into a shop, a bakery or a bus, and skipping it comes across as rude; switch to « Bonsoir » in the evening. Use vous and « monsieur/madame » with strangers and tu with friends. Friends and family greet each other with la bise, cheek kisses whose number depends on the region (two in Paris), while colleagues usually shake hands.
- 1
Bonjour, monsieur.
Hello, sir.
- 2
Bonsoir, monsieur.
Good evening, sir.
- 3
Salut ! Ça va ?
Hi! How's it going? (to a friend)
- 4
Ça va, et toi ?
Fine, and you? (to a friend)
- 5
Comment allez-vous ?
How are you? (formal)
- 6
Très bien, merci. Et vous ?
Very well, thank you. And you?
- 7
Enchanté.
Nice to meet you.
Tip: A woman writes it with an extra e at the end; it sounds the same.
- 8
Je m'appelle Sam.
My name is Sam.
- 9
On se fait deux bises ou trois ?
Do we do two kisses or three?
- 10
Ça fait longtemps !
Long time no see!
- 11
Quoi de neuf ?
What's new?
- 12
Pas grand-chose.
Not much.
Tip: Casual reply; the key word is only ever used after 'not'.
- 13
Bonne journée !
Have a good day!
- 14
Bonne soirée !
Have a good evening!
- 15
À tout à l'heure !
See you later today!
Tip: Only for seeing someone again later the same day.
- 16
À demain !
See you tomorrow!
Tip: The same pattern works with any day: see you Monday, see you tonight.
- 17
Allez, à plus !
Right, see you! (to friends)
- 18
Passe le bonjour à tes parents.
Say hi to your parents for me.
- 19
Bienvenue !
Welcome!
Tip: One word, used as a greeting to someone arriving.
- 20
Prends soin de toi !
Take care!