How to say “Good morning” and “Good afternoon” in French

Welcome to this lesson on informal communication in French. While the word “bonjour” is perfectly correct, there are situations where using something unique, fun, or more affectionate can help you start the day with more energy and freshness. In this lesson, we’ll explore 10 ways to greet someone in the morning and 10 ways to say goodbye at night, ideal for use with friends or a romantic partner.

French has nuances for everything. Greeting your boss is not the same as greeting a colleague you go out for drinks with, and greeting someone early in the morning is different from greeting them just after lunch. Here, I’ve prepared a guide with 20 expressions so you can sound like a true local.

The classics

These are your essentials. They work in almost any situation.

Bonjour: The absolute king. It means “good morning,” but be careful: it’s used from sunrise until the evening begins (around 6:00 p.m.).

Bon après-midi: Technically, it means “good afternoon,” but be careful! It is almost always used when saying goodbye. If you arrive somewhere at 3:00 p.m., say Bonjour. If you’re leaving, say Bon après-midi.

Salut! : This is the informal “hi.” It’s very useful because it can mean both hello and goodbye, but only with friends or people you know well.

Coucou! : It’s super sweet and colloquial. It’s like saying “Hey there!” or “Hiya!” It’s commonly used with children, family members, or very close friends.

Good morning in French—with style

Sometimes you want to be a little more specific or show that you have a more advanced level of French.

Expression	Approximate translation	Context
Bon matin !	Good morning!	Used more often in Quebec (Canada) than in France.
Bien le bonjour !	A very good morning to you!	A bit old-fashioned or ironic, used to add a touch of playful elegance.
Réveillé(e) ?	Awake yet?	A casual and familiar way to greet someone who has just gotten up.
Bonjour à tous	Good morning, everyone	Ideal when entering a room full of people.

Good afternoon (L’après-midi)

In France, the afternoon is a flexible concept. Here’s how to handle it:

Bonne fin d’après-midi: Used from around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m., when there isn’t much time left before evening. It means “have a good late afternoon.”

Bonjour, enchanté(e): If you meet someone for the first time in the afternoon, add enchanté (“nice to meet you”) to sound polite and refined.

Ça va, l’après-midi ?: “How’s the afternoon going?” It’s not a standard greeting, but it is a very common way to start a conversation after lunch.

---

Greetings in French

To sound natural

In French, we often combine a greeting with a question about how someone is feeling. This counts as a “complete greeting package.”

1. Bonjour, ça va ? (Good morning, how are you?) – The basic combo.
2. Salut, toi ! (Hey, you!) – Very affectionate for someone you like.
3. Alors, la matinée se passe bien ? (How’s the morning going?) – Ideal at the office.
4. Ça roule ? (Everything rolling?) – Super informal, similar to “How’s it going?”
5. Quoi de neuf ? (What’s new?) – The classic way to ask what has happened since yesterday.

For specific situations

To finish, here are a few expressions that will make you sound great depending on who you’re talking to:

Bonjour, Monsieur / Madame: Essential! In France, politeness is sacred. If you enter a shop, don’t just say Bonjour; add the title as well.

Mes respects: “My respects.” Very formal, almost military, or used with elderly people you want to impress.

Bonjour la compagnie ! (Good morning, everyone!) – A cheerful way to greet a group of friends.

Bonne journée ! (Have a nice day!) – Although it is technically a farewell, it is used so often that it almost feels like part of the greeting.

Fun fact:
Did you know that saying “Bonjour” is almost mandatory when entering a shop in France? If you don’t say it before asking for something, the shop assistant might think you’re rude (or a confused tourist). Even if you’re about to complain, start with a Bonjour!

Lesson conclusion: Practicing these variations will help you sound more natural and friendly in your everyday interactions in French. Congratulations on your practice!

Exercises