Bonjour is one of the most commonly used French greetings. However, there is some confusion around whether it can also be used to say goodbye. In this article, we’ll examine the meaning and usage of bonjour to determine if it can double as both a greeting and farewell.
What Does Bonjour Mean?
Bonjour literally translates to “good day” in English. It is the customary French greeting used when meeting someone, similar to saying “good morning,” “good afternoon,” or “hello” in English.
Bonjour is considered a polite and formal greeting. It can be used at any time of day and is appropriate in both casual and professional settings. Using bonjour lets the person you are addressing know that you acknowledge their presence in a respectful way.
Some key facts about the meaning of bonjour:
- Bonjour means “good day” and expresses a friendly greeting.
- It can be used at any time from morning to evening as a hello.
- Bonjour is a versatile, widely used, and socially expected greeting in French.
- It has connotations of politeness and respect.
Overall, bonjour signals that you notice someone and wish to greet them in a polite, formal, and friendly manner as you initiate conversation or interaction.
How is Bonjour Used?
French speakers use bonjour in many everyday situations:
- When entering a store or restaurant
- Meeting someone for the first time
- Encountering a neighbor, colleague, or acquaintance
- Opening a conversation in a formal setting
- Answering the phone
- When you want to get someone’s attention politely
Bonjour is versatile enough to use for both strangers and people you know. It works as a basic greeting at any time from morning to evening.
Some key pointers on using bonjour politely:
- Use it at the start of an interaction or conversation.
- Say bonjour first when you encounter someone before stating your business.
- Allow them to return the greeting, usually by saying bonjour back.
- Keep eye contact and smile as you say it.
- Your tone should be cheerful but polite.
Failing to acknowledge someone by saying bonjour is considered rude in French culture. It’s an important social convention.
Does Bonjour Also Mean Goodbye?
No, bonjour only means “hello” or “good day” as a greeting. It does not literally mean “goodbye” in French.
The most common ways to say goodbye in French are:
- Au revoir – For a standard goodbye, similar to “See you later.”
- À bientôt – Meaning “See you soon.”
- À plus tard – “See you later.”
- À demain – “See you tomorrow.”
- Adieu – For a final farewell.
While bonjour is solely used to greet people, there are some instances where it may seem like it’s being used to say goodbye:
- Replying “bonjour” to someone who has greeted you with “bonjour” or “au revoir.” This is just reciprocating their greeting, not using bonjour to mean bye.
- Shopkeepers sometimes say “bonjour, au revoir” together when customers leave. The bonjour here is meant for the next customer entering, not as a goodbye.
- Using bonjour near the end of an interaction. For example, a server might come to your table and say “bonjour, merci, au revoir” as a string of greetings and thanks, not using bonjour to mean goodbye.
The confusion arises because conversations in French often begin and end with several polite phrases. But bonjour is only ever used to mean hello or good day.
Are There Any Exceptions?
The only exception where bonjour could conceivably take on a goodbye meaning is in Quebec French. Quebec French has some terms that differ from standard French in France.
In very informal Quebec French, bonjour may sometimes be used when parting ways with a close friend. For example, two friends who chat regularly might say “Bonjour, à demain!” as a very casual goodbye meaning “Hey, see you tomorrow!”
But this is extremely colloquial slang limited to Quebec. In standard French, bonjour would not be used in this way. Across Francophone regions, bonjour serves only as a greeting.
Common Greetings and Goodbyes in French
Here is a summary of the main French greetings and goodbyes:
| Greeting | Goodbye |
|---|---|
| Bonjour | Au revoir |
| Salut | À bientôt |
| Bonsoir | À plus tard |
| Bonne journée | À demain |
| Bonne nuit | Adieu |
As shown, bonjour lines up with “hello” or “good morning/afternoon” while au revoir, à bientôt, à plus tard, à demain, and adieu are used to say “goodbye.”
Bonjour Pronunciation
Bonjour is pronounced:
bohn-ZHOOR
It is two syllables. The second syllable gets more emphasis. The R at the end is silent.
Listen to native speakers pronounce bonjour:
Being able to say bonjour correctly helps you properly greet people in French. The light, upbeat tone reflects the friendly nature of this greeting.
Using Bonjour in Conversation
Bonjour is easy to work into French conversations:
- To greet someone: “Bonjour! Ça va?” (“Hello! How are you?)
- To answer the phone: “Bonjour, vous êtes bien chez les Dupont.” (“Hello, you’ve reached the Dupont residence.”)
- To enter a store: “Bonjour madame” (“Hello ma’am”)
- Meeting someone: “Enchanté, bonjour!” (“Nice to meet you, hello!”)
- With colleagues: “Bonjour Sylvie, tu vas bien?” (“Hello Sylvie, are you well?”)
You’ll use bonjour multiple times a day when speaking French. It integrates smoothly into all types of everyday interactions.
Bonjour in French Culture
Greeting people with bonjour is an important part of French culture. Here are some cultural tips about using this term:
- Always greet shopkeepers, servers, receptionists, and other workers with “Bonjour (monsieur/madame)” before asking for help.
- Say bonjour when entering any business, even just to browse.
- Greet neighbors in apartment buildings with bonjour or bonsoir.
- Open with bonjour when requesting assistance, such as asking for directions.
- Use bonjour to beckon someone’s attention, like a server at a cafe.
- French children are taught to say bonjour to all adults they encounter as a sign of respect.
Bonjour is one of the first French words taught to young students. Failing to great people properly can be seen as impolite in French society.
Bonjour vs. Other Greetings
While bonjour can be used at all times of day, there are some other greetings in French to be aware of:
- Bon matin – Good morning, typically used before noon.
- Bonsoir – Good evening, appropriate after dark.
- Salut – Hi. More informal than bonjour.
Choosing when to use bonjour vs. other greetings depends on the time of day and degree of formality. Bonjour is the most versatile option for both formal and informal occasions.
Conclusion
In summary, bonjour is strictly used to say “hello” or “good day” when greeting someone in French. It does not mean “goodbye” and should not be used when parting ways.
The only exception is possible very informal usage in Quebec French among friends. But in standard French, bonjour means “hello” and nothing else.
Bonjour is an essential French greeting. Use it when meeting people, entering businesses, answering phones, and starting off interactions. Just be sure to say au revoir when you want to say goodbye!