Everyday French

Bonjour, salut, coucou: how French greetings really feel.

French greetings are not just vocabulary. They tell people how close you are, how formal the situation is, and what time of day it is.

Bonjour is the safe default

Bonjour means hello or good morning, but in daily French it is also the polite default when entering a shop, writing a message, or speaking to someone you do not know well.

Use it with a cashier, a teacher, a neighbor, or anyone in a professional situation: Bonjour Madame, Bonjour Monsieur, Bonjour tout le monde.

Bonsoir is for the evening

Bonsoir means good evening. It usually replaces bonjour later in the day. There is no exact universal hour, but after work or when the evening mood has started, bonsoir sounds natural.

Salut is casual

Salut can mean hi or bye. It is friendly and informal, so use it with friends, classmates, close colleagues, or people your age in relaxed situations.

If you are unsure, choose bonjour. It is better to sound a little formal than accidentally too casual.

Coucou is warm and familiar

Coucou is light, affectionate, and familiar. You might use it with close friends, family, or in a friendly text message. It is not the greeting for a formal email.

Try these

The simple rule: bonjour for safety, salut for friends, coucou for closeness.