How to Say Hello in French: A French Mom's Simple Guide

"So, how do you actually say hello in French?" It’s a question I get all the time. As a French woman from the beautiful town of Annecy, now raising my family in Australia, I've found it's one of the first things people ask when they hear my accent. They've usually learned Bonjour in school, but they're curious about what we really say. Is it always so formal? What do you say to friends?

It’s a small detail, but it’s everything. Learning a new language can feel overwhelming, but honestly, if you just master the art of a good hello and a friendly goodbye, you've won half the battle. So, let's skip the complicated grammar for now. This is your simple, down-to-earth guide to greeting people in French, the way we actually do it back home.

The Short Answer: Your French Greetings Cheat Sheet

• For Everyone (The Failsafe): Use Bonjour (bon-jhoor) from morning until late afternoon. It's always correct, always polite.
• For Friends & Family (The Casual Hi): Use Salut (sah-loo). It means both "hi" and "bye."
• For Close Friends (The Cute Hi): Use Coucou (koo-koo). It's a sweet, warm greeting for people you know well.
• The Goodbye: Use Au revoir (oh ruh-vwar). It's the standard, polite way to say goodbye in any situation.

What Are French Greetings, Really?

In many English-speaking cultures, a greeting can be a quick, optional nod. In France, it's the formal start of any social contract, no matter how brief. When you walk into a shop, you greet the shopkeeper. When you get on a bus, you greet the driver. It's a small acknowledgment of shared humanity, and skipping it can be seen as quite rude. This focus on politeness is a big part of our culture, but it's just one of the many things people find surprising. In fact, it's interesting to see which stereotypes about the French are true and which are complete myths. But don't let that scare you! It's actually very simple, and knowing which greeting to use in which situation will make you feel incredibly confident.

The Essential "Hellos": From Your Boss to Your Bestie

Just like you wouldn't greet your boss with "Yo, what's up?", French has different levels of formality. Let's break down the main ways to say hello.

1. The Formal & Failsafe: Bonjour!

• Meaning: "Good day"
• Pronunciation: bon-jhoor
• When to Use It: This is your golden ticket. It is never, ever wrong to use Bonjour. You use it with shopkeepers, waiters, strangers on the street, your new boss, your partner's parents, and even your friends. It's the universal, polite standard from the moment you wake up until around 5 or 6 p.m. When in doubt, just say Bonjour.

2. The Casual & Friendly: Salut!

• Meaning: "Hey!" or "Hi!"
• Pronunciation: sah-loo
• When to Use It: This is the French equivalent of a casual "hey." It's perfect for friends, family, and colleagues you have a relaxed relationship with. It's warm and friendly. Interestingly, Salut is also a casual way to say "bye," making it a very versatile word. Think of it like the Italian "Ciao."

3. The Cute & Affectionate: Coucou!

• Meaning: A very informal "Hi!" or "Hey there!"
• Pronunciation: koo-koo
• When to Use It: This is a greeting I use all the time with my daughter and my closest friends. It's a bit like the sound a cuckoo clock makes, and it has that same playful, sweet vibe. It's very informal and should be reserved for people you are very close to. You would never say Coucou to your boss unless they were also your best friend!

Asking "How Are You?": More Complicated Than You'd Think

In English, "How are you?" is often part of the greeting itself, and we don't expect a real answer. In France, it can be taken as a genuine question, so it's good to know the different ways to ask.

1. The Formal Version: Comment allez-vous?

• Meaning: "How are you?" (formal)
• Pronunciation: kom-mohn-tah-lay-voo
• When to Use It: You use this when speaking to someone you don't know, an older person, or in a professional setting. The "vous" is the formal or plural "you." Be prepared for a real, if brief, answer!

2. The Casual Version: Comment vas-tu? or Ça va?

• Meaning: "How are you?" or "How's it going?" (informal)
• Pronunciation: kom-mohn-vah-too / sah vah
• When to Use It: This is for friends, family, and anyone you would use "tu" (the informal "you") with. The most common and casual form is simply "Ça va?". It's a fantastic, all-purpose phrase. You can ask it, and you can also answer with it. A typical, casual exchange between friends is simply:

"Salut!" "Salut, ça va?" "Oui, ça va, et toi?" (Yes, it's going well, and you?)

The Essential "Goodbyes": Leaving with a Good Impression

Just as important as a good hello is a graceful exit!

1. The Formal & Failsafe: Au revoir!

• Meaning: "Goodbye!" (Literally "Until we see again")
• Pronunciation: oh ruh-vwar
• When to Use It: Like Bonjour, this is your universal, polite goodbye. It's perfect for leaving a shop, ending a business meeting, or saying goodbye to your partner's parents. It's never wrong.

2. The Casual & Friendly: Salut!

• Meaning: "Bye!"
• Pronunciation: sah-loo
• When to Use It: As we mentioned, our versatile friend Salut is back again! It's the perfect casual "bye" for friends and family.

3. The "See You Later": À plus tard! or À plus!

• Meaning: "Later!"
• Pronunciation: ah ploo tar / ah ploos
• When to Use It: This is a very common, friendly way to say goodbye when you expect to see the person again relatively soon. It's often shortened in text messages to "A+."

Greetings for Different Times of Day

The French are quite specific about wishing people a good day or evening. These are phrases you use when you are leaving.

• In the morning/afternoon: Bonne journée! (bon jhoor-nay) - "Have a good day!"
• In the evening: Bonne soirée! (bon swah-ray) - "Have a good evening!"
• Right before bed: Bonne nuit! (bon nwee) - "Goodnight"

The Final Verdict: Your Simple Strategy for Success

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. Here is the only strategy you really need to start:

1. Always start with Bonjour. When in doubt, just say Bonjour. It is your key to every polite interaction in France.
2. Always end with Au revoir. When you leave, a simple Au revoir is always appreciated.
3. Use Salut with friends. Once you're comfortable with someone, you can switch to the more casual Salut.

That's it. If you just master those three, you will be seen as a polite, respectful, and friendly visitor.

Learning a language is a journey, and the first step is always the most important. By learning how to greet people with warmth and respect, you're not just learning words; you're learning the heart of the culture.

If you're looking for another fun way to share a little bit of French culture with your kids, I've created a whole collection of Printable French Coloring Pages. They're a perfect, screen-free activity to spark their curiosity about the world.

About the Author

Hi, I'm Roxane! As a French mom raising my family here in Australia, I'm always looking for fun ways to share a little piece of my home culture with my daughter. From the words we use to the food we eat, I believe that learning about a new culture should be a joyful adventure. This blog and my little shop are my way of sharing that joy with you. Merci beaucoup for being here!