This workshop helps you speak French greetings in the right situation. You will practice formal greetings like «Bonjour» and «Bonsoir», and informal ones like «Salut» and «Coucou». You will also take part in short exchanges, first as one speaker and then as the other. The goal is to help you choose a greeting that fits the person and the moment, and to answer naturally when someone greets you.
Formal Greetings for Everyday Situations
Use «Bonjour» during the day with strangers, shop staff, colleagues, and people you do not know well. It means Hello or Good day. After around 6 p.m., switch to «Bonsoir», which means Good evening. Both are polite and safe in most public situations. A formal exchange can sound like this: «Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?» meaning Hello, how are you? The reply «Bonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?» means Hello, I am fine, thank you. And you? Notice that both people use «Bonjour» and «vous». This keeps the exchange polite and respectful. Practice saying each line slowly, then a little faster. Pay attention to the nasal sound in «Bonjour» and the clear final sound in «vous».
Informal Greetings with Friends and Family
With friends, family, and people your own age, you can use «Salut», which means Hi. It is friendly and relaxed. «Coucou» is even more affectionate and is used with close friends and family, or in friendly messages. It means Hey there. An informal exchange can sound like this: «Salut, ça va ?» meaning Hi, how's it going? The reply «Salut, ça va bien, et toi ?» means Hi, I'm good, and you? Here both people use «Salut» and «toi». This matches the friendly tone. Practice these lines with a smile and a relaxed voice. Try to make «Salut» sound light and warm, not formal.
Choosing the Right Greeting and Responding
The choice between formal and informal depends on who you are speaking to and the situation. If you are unsure, «Bonjour» is a safe choice during the day, and «Bonsoir» works after around 6 p.m. Use «Salut» only when you already know the person well. «Coucou» is for close relationships. When someone greets you, you can usually reply with the same greeting they used. For example, if you hear «Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?», you can answer «Bonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?». If you hear «Salut, ça va ?», you can answer «Salut, ça va bien, et toi ?». This mirroring keeps the exchange natural. Practice switching between the two styles until each feels comfortable.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Bonjour
Hello / Good morning / Good day
bohn-ZHOOR
Bonsoir
Good evening
bohn-SWAHR
Salut
Hi / Hey
sah-LOO
Coucou
Hey there / Hi (affectionate)
koo-KOO
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
Hello, how are you? (formal)Bonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?
Hello, I'm fine, thank you. And you? (formal)Salut, ça va ?
Hi, how's it going? (informal)Salut, ça va bien, et toi ?
Hi, I'm good, and you? (informal)Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Formal Greeting Exchange
Imagine you are speaking with a colleague you do not know well. It is daytime. You will play both roles using the formal lines from the supplied dialogue.
Your task: First, say the line for speaker A: «Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?». Then, answer as speaker B: «Bonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?». Repeat the exchange three times, trying to keep a polite and clear tone.
Informal Reply Choice
You hear a friend say «Salut, ça va ?». You need to choose the best informal reply from the supplied dialogue.
Your task: Read the two possible replies below. Choose the one that fits an informal exchange and say it aloud. Reply 1: «Bonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?». Reply 2: «Salut, ça va bien, et toi ?». After choosing, say the correct reply twice.
Recall and Role Swap
Without looking at the lines, recall the formal and informal exchanges from the supplied dialogue. You will say both roles in each exchange.
Your task: First, say the full formal exchange from memory: speaker A then speaker B. Then say the full informal exchange from memory: speaker A then speaker B. Try to use the exact words from the supplied dialogue.
Common questions
When should I use «Bonjour» instead of «Bonsoir»?
Use «Bonjour» during the day and «Bonsoir» from late afternoon onward, after around 6 p.m. Both are polite and safe with strangers, colleagues, and in shops. If you are unsure, «Bonjour» is a good choice earlier in the day, and «Bonsoir» works later.
Can I use «Salut» with anyone?
«Salut» is informal and works well with friends, family, and people your own age. With strangers, superiors, or in formal situations, it is better to use «Bonjour» or «Bonsoir». «Coucou» is even more affectionate and is best for close friends and family.
Sources and further reading
- french: greetings formal informalChecked September 2026
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