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Vocabulary

Basic French Greetings – Complete Beginner Guide (A0 Level)

S

Shivay

2026-03-23

3 min read
Basic French Greetings – Complete Beginner Guide (A0 Level)

Introduction

When you start learning French, the first and most important topic is greetings. Greetings are used in every conversation. In French-speaking countries, greeting someone is not optional — it is considered polite and respectful. If you start speaking without greeting, it can be seen as rude. So learning greetings is the first step to learning French.

1. Bonjour – Hello

Bonjour means Hello or Good morning.
You can use Bonjour:

  • In the morning

  • In the afternoon

  • In formal situations

  • With teachers, strangers, elders, in shops, in offices

Examples:

  • Bonjour Madame (Hello Madam)

  • Bonjour Monsieur (Hello Sir)

  • Bonjour Paul (Hello Paul)

Important: Always say Bonjour before starting a conversation.

2. Bonsoir – Good Evening

Bonsoir means Good evening.
Use Bonsoir after evening time (usually after 6 PM).

Examples:

  • Bonsoir Madame

  • Bonsoir Monsieur

  • Bonsoir Paul

3. Salut – Hi (Informal)

Salut means Hi.
This is informal, so use it only with:

  • Friends

  • Classmates

  • People your age

  • Family members

Do NOT use Salut with:

  • Teachers

  • Boss

  • Unknown people

  • Formal situations

Example:

  • Salut Marie

  • Salut Paul

4. Comment ça va ? – How are you?

To ask someone how they are, you say:

Comment ça va ? = How are you?

Possible answers:

  • Ça va bien = I am fine

  • Ça va = I am okay

  • Comme ci, comme ça = So-so

  • Ça ne va pas = Not good

Example conversation:

  • Bonjour Paul !

  • Bonjour Marie !

  • Comment ça va ?

  • Ça va bien, merci. Et toi ?

  • Ça va bien !

5. Merci – Thank You

Merci means Thank you.

Examples:

  • Merci beaucoup = Thank you very much

  • Merci Madame = Thank you Madam

  • Merci Paul = Thank you Paul

6. Au revoir – Goodbye

Au revoir means Goodbye.
This is formal and polite.

Examples:

  • Au revoir Madame

  • Au revoir Monsieur

  • Au revoir, à demain (Goodbye, see you tomorrow)

7. À bientôt – See You Soon

À bientôt means See you soon.

Other similar expressions:

  • À demain = See you tomorrow

  • À plus tard = See you later

  • Bonne nuit = Good night

8. Formal vs Informal Greetings

SituationGreetingTeacherBonjourFriendSalutShopBonjourOfficeBonjourEveningBonsoirLeavingAu revoirFriend leavingSalut / À bientôt

9. Mini Dialogue (Example Conversation)

French Conversation:

  • Bonjour Monsieur

  • Bonjour Marie

  • Comment ça va ?

  • Ça va bien, merci

  • Au revoir

  • À bientôt

English Translation:

  • Hello Sir

  • Hello Marie

  • How are you?

  • I am fine, thank you

  • Goodbye

  • See you soon

10. Common French Greetings Vocabulary

FrenchEnglishBonjourHelloBonsoirGood eveningSalutHiComment ça va ?How are you?Ça va bienI am fineMerciThank youAu revoirGoodbyeÀ bientôtSee you soonMonsieurSirMadameMadam

11. Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks:

  1. ______ Marie ! (Hi Marie)

  2. ______ Madame ! (Hello Madam)

  3. Comment ça va ? → ______ (I am fine)

  4. ______ = Thank you

  5. ______ = Goodbye

Answers:

  1. Salut

  2. Bonjour

  3. Ça va bien

  4. Merci

  5. Au revoir

12. Conclusion

Greetings are the first step to speaking French. If you learn these greetings and practice them daily, you will be able to start a basic conversation in French. Try to practice small conversations like:

  • Bonjour

  • Comment ça va ?

  • Ça va bien

  • Merci

  • Au revoir

Practice these every day and you will improve very fast.

Next Lesson Recommendation: French Alphabet (A, B, C in French)

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