French Greetings

• What are the most common French Greetings?
  
• What do you say when you first meet a French person?
  
• How do you say Happy Birthday in French?
  
• What about Happy Easter and Happy New Year?
  

Having a few of these simple French phrases below up your sleeve will go a long way in helping you to at least start a simple conversation.

• Daily French Greetings
  
• Seasonal Greetings
  
• Special Occasions Greetings
  

Daily French Greetings

Bonjour - Hello, Good Morning, Good Afternoon

Bonsoir - Good Evening (roughly 6pm onwards)

Salut - Hi (informal. Mainly used by under 20 year olds)

Bon après-midi - Have a nice afternoon (NOT: Good afternoon)

Bonne journée - Have a nice day

Bonne soirée - Have a nice evening

Bonne nuit - Good night

À la prochaine! - Until next time!

À bientôt! - See you soon!

Seasonal Greetings

Joyeux Noël et bonne Année - Seasons Greetings

Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas

Bonne Année - Happy New Year

Bonne Santé - Good Health (also said at New Year)

Joyeux quatorze juillet! - Happy Bastille Day! (PS it's July 14th)

Bonne fête (Saint) - Happy (Saint's Day)

Joyeuses Pâques - Happy Easter

Joyeuses Fêtes - Happy Holidays

Special Occcasions Greetings

Meilleurs Voeux - Best Wishes

Bon Anniversaire - Happy Birthday

Joyeux Anniversaire - Happy Birthday to You

Bonne Santé - Good Health (also said at New Year)

Mes/Nos Meilleurs Voeux - Best wishes

Santé! - À ta/votre santé! - À la tienne/vôtre! - Tchin-tchin! - Cheers!

Félicitations! - Congratulations!

Bon Courage! - Good luck!

À la famille Privat. À ta nouvelle maison! - To the Privat family. To your new house!