23 useful ways to say hello in French, no matter the situation

Bonjour ! Thinking of learning French? Planning a trip to a French-speaking country? Working with French clients or partners?

Whatever the motive, it’s always a good idea to start with the basics. We’ll explain how to say hello in French in a variety of ways, and why it is important.

At the end of this article, you will master all the subtleties of the French greetings and feel like a “poisson dans l’eau” (comfortable) in no time!

Why is it important to know how to say hello in French?

Some will argue that things are changing, but la politesse is part of the French language and culture. Even if you don’t master la langue de Molière, a few words in French can go a long way. With that in mind, you might want to complement your greetings with some French slang, to strengthen your conversational skills. And actually, this rule applies to any language.

Next time you are abroad, try to greet the locals in their language and see what happens! Seeing a broad smile will also help you to overcome language anxiety.

But revenons-en à nos moutons (this expression means “Let’s get back to the point” in French). Politesse aside, learning to say hello in French is the base to initiate communication and maybe make some new friends.

Firstly, how do you actually say “hello” in French?

The most common greeting in French is the very useful “bonjour”, and “bonsoir”. The first can be used throughout the day, and the second in the evening. “Salut” is also widely used in a more informal setting. These are the most basic greetings that will commonly be learned in lessons for French for kids.

Here is a small recap with pronunciation:

23 other ways to say hi in French

If you’re having a hard time proncuniating French words as a local - or almost - the International Phonetic Alphabet can help. It’s easy to learn and will help you with any language you study in the future.

Everytime you look for a word in a language book, dictionary, translator or online resource, you'll notice the IPA pronunciation next to it, like in the table above. In no time, your French will sound parfait!

But for now, let’s have a look at other ways to say “hello”, or “hello how are you” in French, with their respective pronunciations for English speakers.

I. Formal greetings in French for a business setting

II. Informal greeting in French for a casual setting

III. Neutral

IV. Seasonal

FAQs for French greetings

How do you use La Bise to greet someone?

The famous “bise” is unavoidable in France - COVID aside. While it can be unsettling for travelers, you can’t say you've been to France until you kiss - or air kiss - someone on both cheeks. And it’s not just for casual greetings. While shaking hands is common in the French business world, it’s not unusual to see coworkers, male or female, se faire la bise.

Did you know?

The amount of kisses and the direction varies according to the region. When in doubt, wait for the other person to start and you will avoid an uncomfortable situation. If it happens, don’t worry! It happens to French people too.

What are some French greeting faux-pas?

Faux-pas are part of any real cultural and language immersion. But some can be avoided.

Faux-pas nº1: Being too enthusiastic

Yes, this goes for you, happy reader! In France, people will be polite, but they might give you a weird look if you are too cheery. Things are quite different in Québec, where locals tend to be more welcoming.

Faux-pas nº2: Getting confused between “tu” and “vous”

While this problem does not exist in English, it’s important to learn how to use the right level of politeness in France. “Vous” is more formal, and generally used between people who don’t know each other. In doubt, always use “vous” and ask the person : “Puis-je vous tutoyer ?” (Can I use “tu” with you?)

Faux-pas nº3: Hugging instead of la bise

La bise can be unsettling for many visitors. Well, for French people, a hug can be perceived as an invasion of their personal space and is only used with family, partners or very close friends.

And speaking of faux-pas, these cultural don’ts to attend a dinner party in France might help you to avoid“mettre les pieds dans le plat” (to put one's foot in one's mouth).

We hope this article not only taught you to say hello in French, but also the basics of French culture. Equipped with these greeting tools, there is no doubt you will create a great first impression the next time you meet a French speaker.

Remember to keep checking back to our French vocab blog for creatively, fun ways to learn.

The only thing left to say is : Au revoir et à bientôt !