French Greetings: How to Choose Between Formal and Informal
Learn to pick the right French greeting for any situation, from 'Bonjour' to 'Salut', with clear rules and examples.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In French, the greeting you choose depends on who you're talking to and the situation. Using the wrong one can sound too casual or too stiff. This lesson teaches you the main formal and informal greetings, when to use each, and how to avoid common mistakes. You'll practice with real-life examples so you can greet anyone appropriately.
By the end, you can…
- choose between formal and informal French greetings based on context and relationship.
- use 'Bonjour', 'Bonsoir', 'Salut', and 'Coucou' correctly in sentences.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Bonjour
Hello / Good morning / Good day
bohn-ZHOOR
Standard formal and neutral greeting used with strangers, acquaintances, colleagues, and in shops. Safe in almost any situation during the day.
Bonsoir
Good evening
bohn-SWAHR
Formal and neutral greeting used from late afternoon onward. Use instead of 'Bonjour' after around 6 p.m.
Salut
Hi / Hey
sah-LOO
Informal greeting used with friends, family, and peers. Avoid with strangers, superiors, or in formal contexts.
Coucou
Hey there / Hi (affectionate)
koo-KOO
Very informal and affectionate, used with close friends, family, and sometimes in friendly text messages. Not for professional settings.
Enchanté(e)
Nice to meet you
ahn-shahn-TAY
Formal phrase used when meeting someone for the first time, often after 'Bonjour'. Add 'e' if the speaker is female: 'Enchantée'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
French greetings often pair a greeting word with a question about the other person. For example: 'Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?' (formal) or 'Salut, ça va ?' (informal). The choice of greeting word sets the tone. 'Bonjour' and 'Bonsoir' are formal/neutral; 'Salut' and 'Coucou' are informal. You can also add a title: 'Bonjour Madame' or 'Bonjour Monsieur' in formal contexts. Note that 'Bonjour' is used during the day; after about 6 p.m., switch to 'Bonsoir'.
When to use it
Use formal greetings ('Bonjour', 'Bonsoir') with: strangers, older people, authority figures, colleagues you don't know well, shopkeepers, and in any professional setting. Use informal greetings ('Salut', 'Coucou') with: friends, family, classmates, and people your age you know well. When in doubt, start with 'Bonjour'—it's never wrong in daytime. If the other person responds with 'Salut', you can switch to informal. In Quebec, 'Bonjour' is also used as a general greeting, and 'Allô' can be used informally on the phone or in person.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
Hello, how are you? (formal)bohn-ZHOOR, koh-mahn tah-lay-VOOBonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?
Hello, I'm fine, thank you. And you? (formal)bohn-ZHOOR, zhuh vay byan, mair-SEE. ay VOOSalut, ça va ?
Hi, how's it going? (informal)sah-LOO, sah VAHSalut, ça va bien, et toi ?
Hi, I'm good, and you? (informal)sah-LOO, sah vah BYAN, ay TWAHA little context goes a long way
In France, using 'Bonjour' when entering a shop or office is expected; skipping it can seem rude. 'Salut' is common among friends but can be seen as disrespectful if used with someone older or in a position of authority. In Quebec, informal greetings like 'Allô' are common, and 'Bonjour' is used throughout the day. Always pay attention to the other person's greeting to match their level of formality.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Salut' with a stranger or in a formal situation, such as greeting a new boss or a shopkeeper.
Try this instead: Use 'Bonjour' (or 'Bonsoir' in the evening) instead. For example, say 'Bonjour, Monsieur' to a male stranger. If you're unsure, 'Bonjour' is always safe during the day.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You meet your friend's grandmother for the first time at 3 p.m. What greeting do you use?
Show a sample answer
Bonjour, Madame.
'Bonjour' is formal and appropriate for someone you don't know, especially an older person. Adding 'Madame' shows respect. 'Salut' would be too informal.
2You run into your best friend at 8 p.m. How do you greet them informally?
Show a sample answer
Salut, ça va ?
'Salut' is informal and perfect for a close friend. 'Ça va ?' is a casual way to ask how they are. You could also say 'Coucou' if you're very close, but 'Salut' is more common.
3You enter a bakery at 7 p.m. What do you say to the baker?
Show a sample answer
Bonsoir, Monsieur/Madame.
'Bonsoir' is used in the evening (after about 6 p.m.) and is formal, suitable for a shopkeeper. 'Bonjour' would be used earlier in the day. 'Salut' would be too casual.
Use 'Bonjour' or 'Bonsoir' for formal and neutral situations; save 'Salut' and 'Coucou' for friends and family. When in doubt, start with 'Bonjour'—it's always polite during the day.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s French into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr