Unit 1 · Lesson 1
Greetings
French has more greetings than you might think: and choosing the wrong one for the situation is one of the most common beginner mistakes. This lesson covers them all, with context for when to use each one.
The single most important rule
Bonjour with anyone you don't know, any adult, any professional setting. Salut only with people you know. When in doubt: bonjour.
A typical exchange
Person A: Bonjour!
Person B: Bonjour! Ça va?
Person A: Ça va bien, merci. Et vous?
Person B: Très bien, merci. Bonne journée!
Person A: Merci, vous aussi!
Formal vs. informal register
French has a formal/informal distinction built into greetings and throughout the language. The choice signals respect.
Formal (vous)
Adults you don't know well, teachers, professionals, older people
- Bonjour → Bonsoir
- S'il vous plaît
- Excusez-moi
- Comment vous appelez-vous?
Informal (tu)
Friends, classmates, siblings, children
- Salut → Coucou → Allô
- S'il te plaît
- Excuse-moi
- Comment tu t'appelles?
Common mistakes
✗ Using 'bonsoir' as a farewell in the evening
✓ Bonsoir is a greeting. When leaving in the evening, say 'bonne soirée'.
✗ 'S'il te plaît' with a teacher or adult
✓ With adults and people you don't know well, always use 's'il vous plaît'.
✗ Saying 'salut' to a stranger or professional
✓ Salut is only for people you know. Use 'bonjour' with anyone else.
✗ Forgetting to greet the cashier
✓ In France and Quebec, it's rude not to say bonjour when entering a shop. Always greet!
Learn the vocabulary
Click to flip. The IPA pronunciation is shown in square brackets — grey text on the front of each card.
Greetings, farewells & polite phrases
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French
Bonjour
tap to flip
English
Hello / Good morning
[bɔ̃ʒuʁ]: The safest, most universal greeting. Use any time of day until early evening, in any situation formal or casual.
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Match the pairs
Click a French phrase, then its correct English match.
Greetings → English
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Click a French word, then click its English match.
Apply what you know
Eight situations — choose the right phrase for each one.
Greetings quiz
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You walk into a pharmacy and want to greet the pharmacist. What do you say?
You know French greetings.
Next: how to introduce yourself: your name, age, and where you're from.