"Bonjour" is a very common word in France. It's often used to greet someone, and more generally to make conversation. But does the word have a deeper meaning? Above all, how is it used in everyday life? Find out in this article what the word "bonjour" means in France and how to say it correctly.

When to say hello in French?

In French, it's common to say "bonjour" to greet people at any time of day, especially in the morning and afternoon. It's a polite and respectful way of starting a conversation or greeting someone you meet. However, if you're chatting with friends and family, it's acceptable to use more informal expressions like "hi" or "cuckoo".

Bonjour, salut or coucou and its equivalents in English.

"Bonjour" is a polite and formal greeting in French, and is the most common and respectful way to greet someone in French, whether it's friends, colleagues, or strangers you meet. If you're unsure of the context and don't know how to greet someone, "bonjour" is the least risky mani!ère you can really use in any situation.

➡️ English equivalent of the French "bonjour" 🇺🇸 -> "Hello" or "Good morning".

"Salut" is less formal and more colloquial than "Bonjour", a more casual way of greeting friends and family. It can also be used in a professional context, but only with colleagues you know well. You'd never say "hello" in a conventional business, such as a bakery or clothing store. If you're a tourist on vacation in France, avoid saying "hello" to strangers.

➡️ English equivalent of the French "salut" 🇺🇸 -> "Hi" or "Hey".

"Cuckoo" is a very informal, more intimate way of greeting people, reserved for close friends or family. Cuckoo" should never be used with strangers, except in very specific contexts. For example, you can say "cuckoo" to strangers on a dating app like "Tinder", but never in real life. 

➡️ English equivalent of the French "coucou" 🇺🇸 -> "Hiya" or "Hey there".

How do you pronounce the word "bonjour"?

To correctly pronounce the word "bonjour" in French, follow these steps:

Start by saying GOOD: mouth open, lips rounded, teeth clenched. You pronounce the "o" sound as in "rose", and the "n" sound by resting your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Then say the sound "JOU".

To do this, bring your lips together without closing them completely, as if you wanted to make a smile. Pronounce the "or" sound as in "always".

To pronounce "bonjour" correctly, you need to pronounce the "b" and "n" firmly, separating "bon" and "jour" into two syllables, with a small space in between. 

How to say Hello according to the moment of the day ?

• Bonjour can be used at any time of day, but is generally used in the morning and early afternoon.
• Bon après-midi: this expression is used to greet someone in the afternoon, generally between 12 and 6 pm. It's used more to say goodbye than to greet someone you've just met.
• Bonsoir can be used to greet someone in the evening, usually from 6 or 7 pm.
• Bonne soirée: like "bon après-midi", this expression is used to say goodbye, not to greet someone you've just met. It's used from 7 - 8 p.m. onwards.

The case of "Bonjour, comment ça va?" in French. 

The French often add "ça va" or "comment ça va?" after bonjour or salut.

It's the English equivalent of "how are you" or "how's it going? These expressions are used to ask someone how he/she is, or if he/she is doing well.

The French "comment ça va" is often used as a reflex. It's a question that doesn't really require an answer. In fact, the French will find it a little odd if someone answers this "comment ça va" by saying something other than "oui" or "ça peut aller".

Translation of hello in different languages 

• Hello in French :
  • English 🇺🇸 :  Hello, Good morning
  • Italian 🇮🇹 : Buongiorno
  • Spanish 🇪🇸 : Buenos días
  • German 🇩🇪 : Guten Tag
  • Portuguese 🇵🇹 : Bom dia
• Greetings in French :
  • English 🇺🇸 :  Hi, Hey
  • Italian 🇮🇹 : Ciao, Salve
  • Spanish 🇪🇸 : Hola
  • German 🇩🇪 : Hallo, Grüß Gott (in Austria and parts of Germany)
  • Portuguese 🇵🇹 : Olá, Oi
• Cuckoo in French :
  • English 🇺🇸 :  Hiya, Hey there
  • Italian 🇮🇹 : Ciao
  • Spanish 🇪🇸 : Hola
  • German 🇩🇪 : Hallo
  • Portuguese 🇵🇹 : Olá

Want to know more about the different ways of greeting in French?

Discover the video " 4 ways to say hello in French"