Say hello and goodbye in French
Learn the core French greetings and farewells, when each one fits, and how to handle a first exchange politely in everyday and regional French.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
French greetings are not interchangeable. The phrase you choose depends on how well you know the person, the time of day, and whether you are arriving or leaving. This lesson gives you a small, reliable set of expressions for a first interaction: arriving, asking a simple follow-up, and leaving. You will also learn which forms are formal, which are casual, and where regional habits differ, especially between France and Quebec.
By the end, you can…
- greet someone appropriately in formal and informal situations.
- ask how someone is and respond naturally.
- say goodbye using the right farewell for the context.
- recognise one key regional difference in French greetings.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Bonjour.
Hello. / Good morning. / Good afternoon.
bohn-ZHOOR
The default polite greeting when you enter a shop, office, or meet someone during the day. Use it before asking a question.
Bonsoir.
Good evening.
bohn-SWAHR
Used from roughly early evening onward, both when arriving and when leaving. It is polite in most situations.
Salut !
Hi! / Bye!
sah-LOO
Informal. Use with friends, family, classmates, and people your own age you already know. Avoid it with strangers or in formal settings.
Comment allez-vous ?
How are you? (formal or plural)
koh-mahn tah-lay VOO
Formal or polite. Use with someone you do not know well, an older person, or a professional contact. Literally asks how you are doing.
Comment ça va ?
How are you? / How's it going?
koh-mahn sah VAH
Neutral to informal. Very common with friends, colleagues, and people you already know. Safe in most everyday situations.
Au revoir.
Goodbye.
oh ruh-VWAHR
The standard farewell in almost any situation, formal or informal. Use it when leaving a shop, meeting, or conversation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
French greetings often pair an arrival phrase with a short question. For example: « Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? » or « Salut, comment ça va ? ». The first word sets the register, and the question continues it. If you start with « Bonjour », keep the formal « vous » form. If you start with « Salut », use « tu » and « comment ça va ? ». This keeps your tone consistent.
When to use it
Use « Bonjour » during the day and « Bonsoir » in the evening, including when you leave. Use « Salut » only with people you know well. For a first interaction with a stranger, a shopkeeper, or a colleague you have just met, « Bonjour » plus « Comment allez-vous ? » is the safest choice. When leaving, « Au revoir » works almost everywhere; « Salut » can also mean 'bye' among friends.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
Hello, how are you?bohn-ZHOOR, koh-mahn tah-lay VOOBonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?
Hello, I'm well, thank you. And you?bohn-ZHOOR, zhuh vay BYAN, mair-SEE. ay VOOÇa va bien, merci. Vous êtes ici pour le cours ?
I'm well, thank you. Are you here for the class?sah vah BYAN, mair-SEE. voo ZET ee-SEE poor luh KOOROui, c'est ça. Et vous ?
Yes, that's right. And you?wee, say SAH. ay VOOMoi aussi. Bon, je dois y aller. Au revoir !
Me too. Well, I have to go. Goodbye!mwah oh-SEE. bohn, zhuh dwah zee ah-LAY. oh ruh-VWAHRAu revoir, à bientôt !
Goodbye, see you soon!oh ruh-VWAHR, ah byan-TOHA little context goes a long way
In France, saying « Bonjour » when entering a small shop or bakery is expected before you ask for anything; skipping it can seem rude. In Quebec, « Bonjour » is also standard, and you may hear « Bonjour, comment ça va ? » in casual service situations. « Salut » is common among friends in both places, but it is not a safe default with strangers.
One thing to watch for
Using « Salut » with a stranger, a shopkeeper, or someone much older.
Try this instead: Use « Bonjour » instead. For example, say « Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? » when meeting someone new. Keep « Salut » for friends and people you already know well.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You enter a bakery in the afternoon. What is the safest greeting?
Show a sample answer
Bonjour.
« Bonjour » is the standard polite greeting during the day and is expected before you ask for something. « Bonsoir » would fit later in the evening, and « Salut » is too informal here.
2A friend your age says « Salut ! » to you. What question fits best next?
Show a sample answer
Comment ça va ?
« Salut » is informal, so « Comment ça va ? » matches the register. « Comment allez-vous ? » is formal and would clash with the casual greeting.
3You are leaving a formal meeting in the evening. What farewell is appropriate?
Show a sample answer
Au revoir.
« Au revoir » works in almost any situation, formal or informal. « Salut » can mean 'bye' among friends, but it is too casual for a formal meeting.
Start with « Bonjour » or « Bonsoir » for most situations, use « Salut » only with people you know well, and leave with « Au revoir » unless you are among friends.
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