“Hello” in French: 10 Greetings and Conversation Openers

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Bonjour ! It is the usual starting point for saying “hello” in French, but it is not the only useful choice. The right opener depends on the time of day, your relationship, and whether you are speaking face to face, by message, or on the phone.

Here are 10 French greetings and conversation openers, with notes on when each one fits.

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1. Bonjour – “Good day”

Bonjour is the standard polite daytime greeting. It works with people you do not know, in shops and cafés, and in many professional settings. In many French-speaking service encounters, saying bonjour before asking a question or placing an order is treated as part of the interaction.

You can keep it simple:

• Bonjour, madame. – “Hello, ma'am.”
• Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? – “Hello, how are you?”

2. Bonsoir – “Good evening”

Bonsoir is the polite greeting for the evening. There is no single clock time when everyone switches from bonjour to bonsoir; season, setting, and local habit all play a part. If the people around you have started saying bonsoir, follow their lead.

You may also hear bonsoir when someone is leaving in the evening, although bonne soirée (“have a good evening”) is another common farewell.

3. Salut ! – “Hi!”

Salut is an informal “hi” for friends, family, and people with whom you already use a familiar register. Workplace use depends on the team and relationship, so bonjour is the safer choice when you are unsure.

Salut can also mean “bye”: Salut, à demain ! means “Bye, see you tomorrow!”

4. Ça va ? – “How’s it going?”

Ça va ? is a short, common way to ask how someone is doing. It often follows a greeting:

• Bonjour, ça va ? – “Hello, how are you?”
• Salut, ça va ? – “Hi, how's it going?”

Useful replies include Ça va bien, merci. Et vous ? (“I'm well, thank you. And you?”), the more familiar Ça va, et toi ? (“I'm fine, and you?”), and Pas mal (“Not bad”). For a fuller set of questions and replies, see our guide to asking “How are you?” in French.

5. Quoi de neuf ? – “What’s new?”

Quoi de neuf ? is a familiar conversation opener, similar to “What's new?” or “What's up?” It suits someone you already know and invites an update rather than a formal exchange.

A simple reply is Pas grand-chose. Et toi ? – “Not much. And you?”

6. Coucou ! – “Hey!”

Coucou is a warm, very informal way to say “hey” or get someone's attention. Children use it, but adults also use it with close friends, relatives, and in messages. It is not the default greeting for a stranger or a formal setting.

7. Allô ? – “Hello?”

Allô ? is the French telephone “hello.” Use it when answering a personal call or checking whether the other person is still on the line. In a professional call, the person answering may instead identify the organisation and add bonjour.

To continue politely, you might say: Allô ? Bonjour, je voudrais parler à Mme Martin, s'il vous plaît. – “Hello? I'd like to speak to Ms Martin, please.”

8. Excusez-moi – “Excuse me”

Excusez-moi is not a greeting, but it is a useful polite opener when you need a stranger's attention. For example: Excusez-moi, madame. Vous avez l'heure, s'il vous plaît ? – “Excuse me, ma'am. Do you have the time, please?”

With one person you address informally, use excuse-moi. Pardon is another compact option when you need to pass or briefly interrupt.

9. Enchanté(e) – “Pleased to meet you”

After introductions, you can say enchanté or enchantée for “pleased to meet you.” The longer Enchanté de faire votre connaissance is more formal.

In conventional writing, the adjective agrees with the speaker: enchanté is the masculine form and enchantée the feminine form. The two forms are pronounced alike in ordinary speech.

10. Faire la bise

Faire la bise is not something you say. It is a cheek-kissing greeting used in some French-speaking social settings. Who does it, which cheek comes first, and how many kisses are customary can vary by place, relationship, and group.

Do not assume that someone expects it. Follow the other person's cue, and if the setting feels appropriate, you can ask On se fait la bise ? A verbal greeting or handshake is a comfortable alternative when you are unsure.

Putting These French Greetings Together

You do not need all 10 at once. Start with three small patterns:

• Someone you do not know: Bonjour. Excusez-moi…
• A friend: Salut ! Ça va ?
• A phone call: Allô ? Bonjour…

Then listen for what people around you use and match their level of formality. When it is time to end the conversation, these ways to say goodbye in French will help you close it naturally.