How to say “hello” in French
The short answer
Bonjour
bohn-ZHOOR
Hello in French is “bonjour”. Use it every time you walk into a shop or start a conversation; skipping it is seen as rude.
6 ways to say hello in French
Bonjour
bohn-ZHOOR
Means: Hello / good day
Use it: Everyone, all day until evening.
Salut
sah-LOO
Means: Hi
Use it: Friends and people your age.
Bonsoir
bohn-SWAHR
Means: Good evening
Use it: From around 6 pm.
Coucou
koo-KOO
Means: Hey there
Use it: Very casual, friends and family.
Allô
ah-LOH
Means: Hello?
Use it: Only when answering the phone.
Enchanté
ahn-shahn-TAY
Means: Nice to meet you
Use it: When meeting someone new.
Pronunciation tips
- The n in bonjour isn't fully said; it nasalizes the vowel, so “bohn” is softer than it looks.
More in French
Audio is AI-generated by SayHowTo for learning. Accents vary by country and region.