Different Ways To Greet People And Wish Them A Good Morning In French

CCube Academy
4 min readJan 16, 2023

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Have you ever wanted to learn how to greet somebody with a warm ‘Bonjour!’ in French? Whether you’re speaking to a native French speaker or someone who has only learned the language, knowing how to wish them a good morning can go a long way. Discover the different ways you can use to wish someone a good morning in French and start your morning off with a smile and some international flair!

Introduction: Why Greet People with a Smile?

In France, greeting people with a smile is seen as a sign of politeness and friendliness. It shows that you are happy to see the person and that you are open to talking to them. Smiling also makes the other person feel more comfortable and can help to break the ice in social situations.

If you are meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to shake their hand and say “Bonjour, comment allez-vous?” (Hello, how are you?). If you know the person well, you may give them a kiss on each cheek. Good morning can be said in several ways, including “Bonjour”, “Bon matin” or “Bonne journée”.

When greeting someone, it is also common to ask about their wellbeing or how they are doing. For example, you might say “Ça va?” (How’s it going?) or “Comment ça va?” (How are things?).

Different Ways to say “Good Morning” in French

There are many different ways to say “good morning” in French, depending on the context and who you are speaking to. For example, you might say “bonjour” to a colleague at work, but “bonne journée” to someone you pass by on the street. Here are some of the most common ways to wish someone a good morning in French formal:

Bonjour: This is the most basic way to say “good morning” in French, and can be used in any context.

Bonne journée: This is a slightly more formal way of saying “good morning”, and can be used with colleagues or acquaintances.

Bon matin: This is another informal way of saying “good morning”, and can be used with friends or family members.

Joyeuse matinée: This is a more lighthearted way of wishing someone a good morning, and can be used when you want to add a bit of fun to your greeting.

Tips on How To Greet Someone Properly in French

It is always best to greet people with a smile and a handshake,no matter what language you are speaking. In France, there are different ways to greet people depending on the time of day and the situation.

For example, when you first see someone in the morning, you would say “Bonjour” (good morning). If you run into someone later in the day, you might say “Bonsoir” (good evening).

When greeting someone you know well, it is common to kissed once on each cheek. This is usually done starting with the left cheek. Men usually only kiss other men if they are close friends or family.

If you are not sure how to say something in French, it is always polite to ask “Comment allez-vous?” (How are you?). This shows that you are interested in the other person and their well-being.

The Difference between Formal and Informal Greetings

When you greet someone in French, you have two main options: formal vs. informal. Figuring out when to use which greeting can be a little tricky, but don’t worry! We’ll go over the difference between the two, and when it’s appropriate to use each one.

Formal greetings are used when you don’t know the person well, or when you want to show respect. The most common formal greeting is “Bonjour, Monsieur/Madame.” If you’re talking to a group of people, you can say “Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs.”

Informal greetings are used with people you know well, such as friends and family. The most common informal greeting is “Salut!” You can also use the informal greeting “Coucou!” if you’re talking to someone you haven’t seen in a while.

Common Expressions for Saying Good Morning in French

There are many different ways to say good morning in French, depending on the context and who you are speaking to. Here are some commonexpressions:

- Bonjour! This is the most common way to say good morning in French, and can be used in any situation.

- Bonne journée! This expression is a bit more formal than simply saying “bonjour,” and can be used when greeting colleagues or clients.

- Salut! This informal greeting can be used with people you know well, such as friends and family.

- Ça va! This expression is another way of asking “how are you?” and can be used as a casual greeting.

Wrapping Up: Must-Know Etiquette When Saying Hello or Goodbye

When saying goodbye in French, there are a few different ways to do it depending on the formality of the situation. For example, if you are saying goodbye to a close friend, you might say “au revoir” or “à bientôt”, both of which are informal. If you need to be more formal, perhaps because you are saying goodbye to your boss or a client, then you would use “salut” or “bonne journée”.

Here are some key phrases and tips to remember when saying hello or goodbye in French:

- If you want to be very formal, you can say “Bonjour, Monsieur/Madame” followed by their last name. For example: Bonjour, Monsieur Dupont.

- If you know the person well, you can say “Bonjour, Jean/Claire” using their first name.

- You can also say “Salut” informally to anyone.

- To say goodbye formally, you can say “Au revoir, Monsieur/Madame” followed by their last name.

- Or informally, you can say “À bientôt”, which means “See you soon”.

Conclusion

With all of the different ways to say hello in French, you should now have a better understanding of how to greet people and wish them good morning. Whether you’re looking for something formal or informal, friendly or more serious, there are plenty of fun phrases that can be easily incorporated into everyday conversations with friends and family. Greeting someone in their native language is always well-received because it demonstrates respect for their culture — so make sure to show off your linguistics skills by saying “bonjour!” from now on!

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CCube Academy
CCube Academy

Written by CCube Academy

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