Bonjour! That's probably the first French word you learned, right? While 'bonjour' is a perfectly good way to say 'hello' in French, there's a whole world of greetings waiting to be explored! Depending on the time of day, who you're speaking to, and the context, you might want to use something a little different. Get ready to expand your French vocabulary beyond the basics and greet like a true local. Let's dive into 9 different ways to say 'hello' in French!

The standard and most common 'hello' – bonjour

The standard and most common 'hello' – bonjour

Bonjour is the most common and versatile way to say 'hello' in French.

Literally, bonjour means 'good day' (bon = good, jour = day).

It can be used at any time of day, from morning until evening, and in both formal and informal situations. It's truly a universal greeting.

For added politeness, especially in formal settings or when addressing someone you don't know, you can combine bonjour with a title: Bonjour madame (Hello madam), Bonjour monsieur (Hello sir), or Bonjour mademoiselle (Hello miss).

While salut is also 'hello,' it's much more informal, akin to 'hi' in English, and should generally only be used with close friends and family. Bonjour is always a safe and appropriate choice.

Interestingly, bonjour can also be used as a farewell, particularly when you know you won't see the person again that day. In this context, it means 'have a good day'.

A key cultural point: you generally only say bonjour to the same person once per day. If you encounter them again later, a simple 're-bonjour' (less common) or a different greeting like salut (if appropriate) or ça va? is more natural.

Bonjour is arguably the most fundamental French word for any learner. Mastering its use is crucial for navigating daily interactions in French-speaking environments.

💡 * Bonjour ! Comment allez-vous ? (Hello! How are you?)

Bonjour monsieur, je voudrais un café. (Hello sir, I would like a coffee.)

Elle a dit bonjour à tout le monde en entrant. (She said hello to everyone upon entering.)

Je vous souhaite un bon séjour, bonjour ! (I wish you a good stay, goodbye (have a good day)!)

Bonjour, c'est un plaisir de vous revoir. (Hello, it's a pleasure to see you again.)

The informal 'hi' – salut

When you’re looking for a casual way to say “hi” or “hello” in French, salut is your go-to word.

Salut is the quintessential informal greeting in French. It's equivalent to "hi" or "hey" in English and is used among friends, family, and people you know well.

One of the most convenient aspects of salut is its dual nature: it can mean both “hi” and “bye.” This makes it incredibly versatile for informal interactions.

You would use salut with peers, classmates, close colleagues, or anyone with whom you have an informal relationship. It's perfect for a quick, friendly exchange.

Unlike bonjour, which is suitable for all situations, salut should be reserved for informal settings. Using salut with strangers or in formal business environments can be considered rude or overly familiar.

The word salut comes from the Latin salus, meaning 'health' or 'safety,' reflecting a wish for well-being upon greeting someone.

Mastering salut is a key step in sounding more natural and fluent in casual French conversations. Just remember to gauge your audience!

💡 *Salut, comment ça va ? (Hi, how are you?)
*Salut tout le monde ! (Hi everyone!)
*On se voit demain, salut ! (See you tomorrow, bye!)
*Salut Marie, ça fait longtemps ! (Hi Marie, long time no see!)
*Je dois y aller, salut ! (I have to go, bye!)

The 'good evening' – bonsoir

The essential French phrase for 'good evening' is bonsoir. It's a fundamental greeting you'll use frequently once the day winds down.

Primarily, bonsoir serves as a greeting when you encounter someone in the evening. Think of it as the French equivalent of saying 'good evening' or 'hello' after a certain time of day.

The 'evening' for using bonsoir typically begins around 6 PM, or when daylight starts to fade significantly. It's used until you say 'good night' (bonne nuit) before going to bed.

It's important to distinguish bonsoir from bonne soirée. While bonsoir is a greeting (hello, good evening), bonne soirée is a farewell (have a good evening) used when you're leaving someone's company.

While bonsoir can sometimes be used as a simple farewell, especially if you're just passing by, bonne soirée is the more common and polite option for wishing someone a pleasant continuation of their evening.

💡 * Bonsoir, Monsieur Dupont. Comment s'est passée votre journée ? (Good evening, Mr. Dupont. How was your day?)* Oh, bonsoir ! Je ne vous avais pas vu. (Oh, good evening! I hadn't seen you.)* Nous allons dîner maintenant. Bonsoir à tous ! (We are going to dinner now. Good evening everyone!)* C'est déjà 19h. Bonsoir ! (It's already 7 PM. Good evening!)

The 'hello' used on the phone – allô

The word allô (pronounced ah-lo) is the standard greeting used exclusively when answering the phone or initiating a call in French-speaking countries. It's the equivalent of saying "Hello?" or "Hi" on the phone in English.

It's crucial to remember that allô is only for phone conversations. You would use bonjour for any in-person greeting, never allô.

When you pick up the phone, you'll typically say Allô? (Hello?) often with a rising intonation to confirm connection, or simply Allô to greet the caller.

💡 * Allô? C'est qui à l'appareil? (Hello? Who's on the line?)

Allô, je vous entends mal. (Hello, I can't hear you well.)

Oui, allô? (Yes, hello?)

Allô, tu es là? (Hello, are you there?)

Allô, bonjour Monsieur Dupont. (Hello, good morning Mr. Dupont.)

The friendly and informal 'hey' or 'peek-a-boo' – coucou

The friendly and informal 'hey' or 'peek-a-boo' – coucou

Coucou is a charmingly informal French greeting, best translated as 'hey,' 'hi,' or 'hello' when addressing someone you know well. It also famously serves as the French equivalent of 'peek-a-boo'.

Unlike the more formal bonjour, coucou is reserved for casual interactions. It conveys a sense of warmth, familiarity, and often playfulness, making it perfect for relaxed settings.

You'll commonly hear coucou exchanged between friends, family members, or close colleagues. It's a quick, friendly way to acknowledge someone's presence or initiate a conversation without formality.

One of its most beloved uses is with children. When playing, coucou is the go-to word for 'peek-a-boo,' bringing smiles and laughter. It's also used to playfully greet a child.

Opt for coucou when you want to sound approachable, friendly, and informal. It's ideal for texts, quick hellos, or when you're sure a formal greeting isn't necessary, especially with people you have a personal connection with.

💡 * Coucou, ça va bien ? (Hey, how are you doing?)

Oh, coucou ! Je ne t'avais pas vu arriver. (Oh, hi! I didn't see you arrive.)

Coucou les amis, je suis là ! (Hey friends, I'm here!)

Où est papa ? Coucou ! (Where's daddy? Peek-a-boo! - said to a child)

J'ai envoyé un petit coucou par message pour prendre des nouvelles. (I sent a quick 'hello' via message to check in.)

The 'pleased to meet you' when first greeting – enchanté(e)

When you first meet someone in French, the most common and polite way to express 'pleased to meet you' or 'nice to meet you' is by saying enchanté(e). It's a standard greeting that immediately conveys politeness and enthusiasm for the introduction.

The (e) in enchanté(e) is crucial for proper gender agreement. A male speaker will say enchanté (without the 'e'), while a female speaker will say enchantée (with the 'e'). This is because enchanté acts as an adjective, agreeing with the gender of the person speaking.

You'll typically use enchanté(e) right after someone introduces themselves or after a handshake. It's a versatile phrase, suitable for both formal and informal settings, making it a safe and appropriate choice whether you're meeting a new colleague or a friend of a friend.

While often used as a standalone word, the full expression is Je suis enchanté(e) (I am pleased/delighted). For a slightly more formal or varied option, you can also use Ravi(e) de vous rencontrer (Delighted to meet you), which also requires gender agreement (ravi for male, ravie for female).

💡 * "Bonjour, je m'appelle Marc. - Enchanté!" (Hello, my name is Marc. - Pleased to meet you! - spoken by a man)

"Je suis Anne, enchantée de vous connaître." (I am Anne, pleased to know you. - spoken by a woman)

"Madame Dupont, enchanté de faire votre connaissance." (Madam Dupont, pleased to make your acquaintance. - spoken by a man)

"Ravi de vous rencontrer, Monsieur Lefebvre." (Delighted to meet you, Mr. Lefebvre. - spoken by a man)

The welcoming 'hello' – bienvenue

The French word for "welcome" is bienvenue. It's a fundamental expression used to greet someone warmly upon their arrival, making them feel at home or accepted.

Most commonly, bienvenue functions as a standalone interjection, translating to "Welcome!" or "You're welcome!" It can also be used as an adjective, meaning "welcome" or "gladly received," requiring agreement in gender and number with the subject.

As an adjective, bienvenue agrees with the noun it modifies: bienvenu (masculine singular), bienvenue (feminine singular), bienvenus (masculine plural), bienvenues (feminine plural). However, when used as a general greeting, it's typically just Bienvenue ! regardless of who is being welcomed.

💡 * Bienvenue à Paris ! (Welcome to Paris!)

Vous êtes les bienvenus chez moi. (You are welcome at my place. - masculine plural)

Soyez la bienvenue, mademoiselle. (Be welcome, young lady. - feminine singular, formal)

Bienvenue dans notre équipe ! (Welcome to our team!)

C'est une nouvelle qui est toujours bienvenue. (It's news that is always welcome.)

The common 'how are you?' greeting – comment ça va? / ça va?

The most direct translation for 'How are you?' in French is Comment ça va? This phrase is widely understood and appropriate in most situations, especially when you want to be slightly more formal.

In everyday conversation, especially among friends, family, or in casual settings, you'll frequently hear the shortened version: Ça va? This is the most common and versatile way to ask 'How's it going?' or 'Are you doing well?'

Both Comment ça va? and Ça va? literally translate to 'How's it going?' or 'It goes?' and serve as general greetings to inquire about someone's well-being. They can be used with anyone, though Ça va? leans towards informality and is often used as a simple 'hello' or 'hi' in question form.

Common responses include Ça va bien (I'm doing well), Ça va mal (I'm not doing well), or Comme ci, comme ça (So-so). Often, people just reply with Ça va, et toi? (I'm fine, and you?) or Ça va, et vous? (I'm fine, and you? - formal/plural).

💡 * Bonjour, Comment ça va? (Hello, how are you?)

Salut, Marc! Ça va? (Hi, Marc! How's it going?)

Ça va bien, merci. Et vous? (I'm doing well, thank you. And you?)

Non, ça ne va pas très bien aujourd'hui. (No, I'm not doing very well today.)

Ça va, comme d'habitude. (It's going, as usual.)

The informal 'what's new?' greeting – quoi de neuf?

Want to ask “what’s new?” in French in a casual, friendly way? The most common and direct translation you'll hear is quoi de neuf?

Literally, quoi de neuf? translates to “what of new?” or “what’s new?” It functions as an informal greeting, similar to “what’s up?” or “how’s it going?” in English, used to inquire about recent events or changes in someone's life.

This expression is highly informal and best reserved for friends, family, and people you know well. Avoid using quoi de neuf? in formal settings, with strangers, or when addressing someone you need to show respect to (e.g., a teacher, a boss, or an elderly person you don't know intimately).

Common responses to quoi de neuf? include Rien de neuf (nothing new), Pas grand-chose (not much), or you can simply share an update about your day or recent happenings.

💡 * Salut, Pierre! Quoi de neuf? (Hi, Pierre! What's new?)

Ça fait longtemps! Quoi de neuf dans ta vie? (Long time no see! What's new in your life?)

Alors, quoi de neuf avec ton projet? (So, what's new with your project?)

Je t'ai pas vu depuis une éternité, quoi de neuf? (I haven't seen you in ages, what's new?)

Are there other ways to say 'hello' in French?

Our list covers the most common and versatile ways to say 'hello' in French. However, the French language is rich with nuances, including regional greetings, informal slang, and expressions used in very specific social contexts.

To dive deeper, you could perform an online search for 'comment dire bonjour en ___' followed by a specific Francophone country or region, or even 'salutations informelles en français'.

You might encounter many interesting alternatives for bonjour or salut. Always make sure to verify a word’s meaning and observe how it’s used in real conversations before incorporating it into your vocabulary.

As you immerse yourself in French media — reading, watching, and listening — pay close attention to how people greet each other. You’ll undoubtedly pick up on new and authentic ways to say hello.

For a comprehensive look at various greetings and their appropriate usage, the WordReference entry for bonjour or salut can be an excellent starting point, often providing examples and cultural notes.

I hope this article has helped you feel more confident in greeting French speakers. Remember, a simple bonjour can open many doors. As the saying goes: Un sourire et un bonjour ne coûtent rien, mais ils peuvent rapporter beaucoup. (A smile and a hello cost nothing, but they can bring a lot.)

9 ways to say "hello" in French