French Greetings, Farewells & More: Full List, Examples, Exercises
Learning basic French greetings, goodbyes, and introductions is essential for communicating effectively and showing respect. These phrases are used to welcome people, introduce yourself or others, ask how someone is doing, and say goodbye.
The level of politeness can vary, so it’s helpful to know which phrases are formal and which are more casual.
1. Basic French Greetings: Saying “Hello”
There are several ways to say “hello” in French, ranging from highly formal to very casual. Choosing the right one depends entirely on your relationship with the person and the context.
| French Expression | English Translation | Formality Level & Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Good day / Hello | Most common and versatile. Use anytime from morning until early evening. Always safe for formal situations. |
| Salut | Hi / Bye | Informal. Use only with friends, family, and peers. Can be used for both “hi” and “bye.” |
| Bon après-midi | Good afternoon | Used specifically in the afternoon. Can be formal or informal, depending on context and tone. |
| Bonsoir | Good evening / Good night | Use from late afternoon/early evening onwards. Can be formal or informal. |
| Salutations | Greetings (Noun) | Formal or often used in written communication or when addressing a group. Less common in spoken everyday greetings. |
2. Asking “How Are You?” in French
Once you’ve said hello, inquiring about someone’s well-being is a common next step. The choice of phrase depends on your relationship (refer to our Tu and Vous guide for detailed use of these pronouns).
| French Phrase | English Translation | Formality Level & Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Comment ça va ? | How are you? | Versatile. Can be used in both informal and formal contexts. |
| Comment vas-tu ? | How are you? | Informal. Used with “tu” (friends, family, children). |
| Comment allez-vous ? | How are you? | Formal (with “vous”) or when addressing multiple people. Learn more about asking ‘How are you?’ |
| Quoi de neuf ? | What’s up? | Informal. A casual way to ask “What’s new?” |
3. Responding to “How Are You?”
Here are common ways to respond when someone asks about your well-being:
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Je vais bien, merci, et toi/vous ? | I’m fine, thanks, and you? |
| Tout va bien ! | Everything is going well! |
| Super ! / Très bien ! | Great! / Very well! |
| Pas mal. | Not bad. |
4. Farewells
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Au revoir | Bye/goodbye |
| À plus tard | See you later |
| À demain | See you tomorrow |
| Bonne nuit | Good night |
Introductions and common expressions
| Bienvenue | Welcome |
| Prends soins de vous | Take care |
| Passe une bonne journée | Have a nice day |
Dialogue with greetings and farewells
Camille: Salut Mathew !
Mathew: Comment ça va ?
Camille: Ça va bien, et toi ?
