As you begin your French learning journey, mastering French greetings is an essential first step. French greetings often involve the custom of exchanging "la bise," where family and friends kiss each other on the cheeks as a form of greeting.
Just like in English, formality plays an important role in French greetings, as it determines how you address someone based on your relationship with them. For instance, the distinction between "vous" and "tu" is essential; "vous" is used to address someone formally or respectfully, while "tu" is used for informal or familiar relationships.
In this blog post, I'll dive into the most common French greetings and provide you with the foundation you need for polite and meaningful interactions in French-speaking environments.
Recapitulative Table:
|
Expression |
Formal |
Informal |
|
Saying Hello |
Bonjour (Hello) |
Coucou or Salut (Hi) |
|
Asking Someone's Name |
Comment vous appelez-vous?
(What's Your Name?)
|
Comment tu t'appelles?
(What's Your Name?)
|
|
Answering Your Name |
Je m'appelle…
(My name is...)
|
Je m'appelle…
(My name is...)
|
|
Saying Nice to Meet You |
Enchanté(e)
(Pleased to meet you)
|
Ravi(e) de te rencontrer
(Nice to meet you)
|
|
Asking How Are You |
Comment allez-vous?
(How are you?)
|
Comment ça va?
(How are you?)
|
|
Answering How Are You |
Très bien, merci et vous?
(Very well, thank you, and you?)
|
Ça va, merci et toi?
(I'm good, thank you, and you?)
|
|
Saying Goodbye |
Au revoir
(Goodbye)
|
Salut
(Bye)
|
|
Other Common Phrases (used in both formal and informal situations) |
Bonsoir (Good night)
Bonne nuit
(Good evening)
Merci beaucoup
(Thank you very much)
De rien
(You're welcome)
À bientôt
(See you soon)
|
|
Saying Hello in French
- Formal: Bonjour
- Informal: Coucou or Salut
In French, "Bonjour" is the standard way to greet someone. It's the equivalent of "hello" in English and is used in both formal and informal settings. However, if you're among friends or in a casual environment, you might hear people using "Coucou" or "Salut" instead. "Coucou" is an affectionate and informal way to say hello, often used among close friends or family, while "Salut" is more casual and can be used with friends, acquaintances, or even strangers in informal situations.
What's more, in formal situations or when showing respect, it's customary to address someone using their title:
- Monsieur: Equivalent to "Sir" or "Mister" in English, used when addressing a man.
- Madame: Equivalent to "Madam" or "Mrs." in English, used when addressing a woman, regardless of marital status.
- Mademoiselle: Equivalent to "Miss" in English, traditionally used when addressing an unmarried woman, though its usage is becoming less common in favor of "Madame."
Asking Someone's Name in French
- Formal: Comment vous appelez-vous?
- Informal: Comment tu t'appelles?
To inquire about someone's name in French, you can either use a formal or informal approach. In formal situations, such as when meeting someone for the first time or in professional settings, you would say "Comment vous appelez-vous?" For casual interactions, the informal version "Comment tu t'appelles?" is appropriate. Both phrases mean "What is your name?" and are commonly used to start conversations and get to know others.
Answering "What's Your Name?" in French
When someone asks for your name in French, responding is straightforward. You would typically reply with "Je m'appelle..." followed by your name. Whether you're introducing yourself in a professional setting or meeting new friends, "Je m'appelle..." is the standard way to say your name in French.
Saying Nice to Meet You in French
- Formal: Enchanté(e) (for males/females)
- Informal: Ravi(e) de te rencontrer
When meeting someone for the first time in a formal setting, it's polite to express that you're pleased to meet them. In French, you can say "Enchanté" for males or "Enchantée" for females. This expression conveys politeness and shows that you're happy to make their acquaintance. In a more casual or informal setting, you can use "Ravi(e) de te rencontrer" to express the same sentiment in a friendlier tone.
Saying How Are You in French
- Comment allez-vous? (formal)
- Comment ça va? (informal)
Just like in English, asking how someone is doing is a common courtesy in French-speaking countries. For informal situations, you can ask "Comment ça va?" (How are you?), and for formal situations or when addressing someone with whom you're not familiar with, you can use "Comment allez-vous?" (How are you?).
Answering How Are You in French
- Très bien, merci et vous? (formal)
- Ça va, merci et toi? (informal)
When responding to the question "How are you?" in French, you can reply according to the level of formality in the conversation. In formal settings or when addressing someone with respect, you would typically respond with "Très bien, merci et vous?" This translates to "Very well, thank you, and you?" and is a polite way to ask this question. For more casual situations, like talking to friends or peers, you can use the informal response "Ça va, merci et toi?" which means "I'm good, thank you, and you?"
Saying Goodbye in French
- Au revoir (formal)
- Salut (informal)
When it's time to part ways, you can say "Au revoir" in formal situations. This phrase translates to "goodbye" or "until we meet again." In informal settings, "Salut" (which also means "hi") can be used to say goodbye to friends or acquaintances, similar to "bye" in English.
