Knowing how to greet people and say goodbye politely is one of the first and most important steps in learning any new language. In French, these social rituals are key to making a good impression and showing respect. From a simple Bonjour (Hello/Good morning) to a friendly Salut ! (Hi!/Bye!) or a more formal Au revoir (Goodbye), mastering these basic phrases will open doors to friendly interactions. This guide will cover common French greetings and goodbyes, including how to ask "How are you?" (Ça va ?), which is an integral part of our foundational French curriculum and essential for anyone wishing to understand everyday French interactions.

Common French Greetings (Les Salutations)

The greeting you choose will depend on the time of day and your relationship with the person you are addressing.

Bonjour (Hello, Good Morning, Good Day)

Bonjour is the most common and versatile French greeting. It can be used throughout the day (until late afternoon/early evening) in both formal and informal situations.

• Bonjour Madame. (Good morning/Hello, Madam.)
• Bonjour Paul ! (Hello, Paul!)

Bonsoir (Good Evening)

Bonsoir is used from the late afternoon or early evening onwards, typically when it starts to get dark. Like Bonjour, it can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• Bonsoir Monsieur. (Good evening, Sir.)
• Bonsoir tout le monde ! (Good evening, everyone!)

Salut (Hi / Hey - Informal)

Salut is an informal greeting used with friends, family, and people you know well. It's similar to "Hi" or "Hey" in English. It can also be used as an informal "Bye."

• Salut Marc, ça va ? (Hi Marc, how's it going?)

Coucou (Hey there / Hi - Very Informal)

Coucou is a very informal and often endearing greeting, like "Hey there" or a playful "Hi." It's typically used with close friends and family, or to get someone's attention in a cute way.

• Coucou, c'est moi ! (Hey there, it's me!)

Asking "How Are You?"

It's very common to ask how someone is doing after greeting them.

• Ça va ? (How's it going? / Are you okay? - Informal)
  • This is very common and can be a question and an answer: A: Salut, ça va ? B: Oui, ça va, et toi ? (Hi, how's it going? Yes, it's going well, and you?)
• Comment allez-vous ? (How are you? - Formal singular or Plural)
  • Use this with people you would address with vous.
• Comment vas-tu ? (How are you? - Informal singular)
  • Use this with people you would address with tu.
• Possible replies: Ça va bien, merci. (I'm doing well, thank you.), Très bien, merci. (Very well, thank you.), Pas mal. (Not bad.), Comme ci, comme ça. (So-so.)

Understanding these nuances is key to natural conversation, a skill we develop in our speaking-focused French lessons.

Common French Goodbyes (Les Adieux)

Just as with greetings, the farewell you choose depends on the context and your expectations of seeing the person again.

Au revoir (Goodbye)

Au revoir is the most standard and versatile way to say goodbye, suitable for almost any situation, formal or informal. It literally means "until we see each other again."

• Au revoir et merci ! (Goodbye and thank you!)

Salut (Bye - Informal)

As mentioned, Salut can also mean "bye" among friends and family.

• Salut, à demain ! (Bye, see you tomorrow!)

À bientôt (See you soon)

Use À bientôt when you expect to see the person again relatively soon, but without a specific time.

• Merci pour tout, à bientôt ! (Thanks for everything, see you soon!)

À plus tard (See you later - same day)

À plus tard (often shortened to À plus ! or A+ in texts) means "see you later" and implies you'll see the person again later on the same day.

• Je dois partir, à plus tard ! (I have to go, see you later!)

Bonne journée / Bonne soirée (Have a good day / Have a good evening)

These are polite ways to wish someone well as you part ways.

• Bonne journée Monsieur Dupont ! (Have a good day, Mr. Dupont!)
• Bonne soirée et amusez-vous bien ! (Have a good evening and have fun!)
• You might also hear Bon après-midi (Have a good afternoon).

Adieu (Farewell - very formal/final)

Adieu literally means "to God" and implies a final goodbye, often used if you don't expect to see the person ever again. It's quite dramatic and rare in everyday conversation.

Key Takeaways & Tips for Greetings and Goodbyes

• Always greet someone when entering a shop, restaurant, or when starting a conversation.
• Choose your greeting (Bonjour, Salut) based on the formality of the situation and your relationship with the person.
• Au revoir is a safe and polite goodbye in most contexts.
• Practice these phrases regularly to build confidence. Our Online French Courses include many conversational exercises.
• For learners in Chennai or worldwide, our French online classes in Chennai can help you master these crucial interactional skills.

Conclusion: Making a Great First (and Last) Impression

Using appropriate greetings and goodbyes is fundamental to polite and effective communication in French. By familiarizing yourself with these common expressions and understanding their context, you'll be well-equipped to initiate and conclude conversations gracefully, making your interactions with French speakers more positive and engaging.

Discover why Sprachlingua is a leading choice for online French learning, helping you connect with the language and its culture.

Alors, bonjour et à bientôt pour plus de français ! (So, hello and see you soon for more French!)