How to Say Good Morning in French (And When to Use It)

French morning greetings are pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. The most common way to say good morning in French is "bonjour," but there are actually several ways to greet someone depending on the time of day, who you're talking to, and where you are. Let me walk you through everything you need to know when learning French morning greetings, from pronunciation tips to cultural quirks that'll help you sound more natural.🌅

The standard way to say good morning in French

Here's the thing: French doesn't have a direct translation for "good morning" the way English does. Instead, French people use "bonjour " (Pronounced bon-ZHOOR) for most of the day, from when you wake up until around 6 PM. The word literally means "good day," but it functions as both "hello" and "good morning" depending on context.

When you walk into a bakery at 8 AM, you say "bonjour." When you greet your colleague at the office at 10 AM, you say "bonjour." It's the universal French greeting that works in basically any situation during daylight hours.

The pronunciation is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. The "bon" part rhymes with the English word "cone" but without the hard "n" sound at the end. The "jour" sounds like "zhoor" with a soft "zh" sound like the "s" in "measure." Put them together smoothly: bon-ZHOOR.

Why French people don't say "bon matin"

If you're coming from English or you've learned Spanish (where "buenos días" literally means "good days"), you might wonder why French doesn't use "bon matin" for good morning. After all, "matin" is the French word for morning, right?

Well, technically "bon matin" exists in Quebec French. French Canadians do use this expression, and you'll hear it regularly in Montreal or Quebec City. But in France itself, saying "bon matin" will immediately mark you as either a tourist or someone from Quebec. French people in France just don't use this phrase. They stick with "bonjour" for morning greetings.

The reason is mostly historical and cultural. The French language developed differently in France versus Quebec after the colonial period, and certain expressions evolved separately. In metropolitan France, "bonjour" became the standard greeting for the entire day, while Quebec French maintained more time-specific greetings.

Casual alternatives for saying good morning

Bonjour works great in most situations, but when you're talking to friends, family, or people your age, you might want something more casual. Here are the informal options French speakers actually use:

For really informal situations, especially among young people, you might hear "salut ça va?" which combines the greeting with "how are you?" It's like saying "hey, how's it going?" in one breath.

Formal versus informal morning greetings

Understanding when to use formal versus informal greetings is pretty important in French culture. French society has more formality built into the language than English does, and using the wrong level of formality can come across as rude or overly familiar.

One cultural note: in France, you're expected to greet people when you enter a space. Walk into a small shop? Say "bonjour" to the shopkeeper. Enter a waiting room? A general "bonjour" to the room is polite. This is different from English-speaking cultures where you might just nod or smile.

Other French greetings you should know

While we're focusing on morning greetings, it helps to know the full range of French greetings so you can use them appropriately throughout the day.

Regional variations across French-speaking regions

French is spoken in many countries, and morning greetings can vary by region. We already mentioned that Quebec uses "bon matin" instead of just "bonjour" for morning-specific greetings.

In Belgium, you'll hear similar greetings to France, but Belgians tend to be a bit more formal in general. They might stick with "bonjour" in situations where French people would use "salut."

In Switzerland, which has multiple language regions, the French-speaking parts use standard French greetings. However, Swiss French has some unique vocabulary and expressions for other things.

In African French-speaking countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, or Morocco, you'll hear "bonjour" but also local language greetings mixed in. The level of formality and greeting customs can be quite different, often involving more elaborate exchanges of pleasantries.

Common mistakes learners make with French greetings

Learning French greetings and French culture in context

The best way to learn these greetings is to practice them in real situations. If you're learning French, try to expose yourself to authentic content where you can hear how native speakers actually use these expressions.

If you want to practice French greetings and other vocabulary in real contexts, Migaku's browser extension and app let you learn from actual French content like videos, articles, and shows. You can look up words instantly and build your vocabulary while watching stuff you actually enjoy. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to give it a shot.

It seems like a lot of info, but here's a simple recap about "Bonjour"

🔎The standard way to say good morning in French is "bonjour," which works from morning until early evening. You can use "salut" or "coucou" with friends and family for a more casual vibe. "Bon matin" is used in Quebec but not in France. Pay attention to formal versus informal situations, and remember that you only greet someone once per day with "bonjour." The key is to practice and pay attention to these greetings in the media until they feel natural.

Every new morning is a new chance to learn!