How To Say “Hiya” in French (12 Formal and Casual Choices)
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If one single phrase in French, it is likely to be bonjour (hiya). That’s an awesome begin to realizing tips on how to say “hiya” in French, however are you aware when to make use of it and when it wouldn’t be acceptable? One of many first steps once you be taught French is attending to know greetings and tips on how to use them. Check out some frequent methods to say “hiya” in French, and also you’ll be beginning conversations very quickly!
Formal methods to say “hiya” in French
French audio system have a robust idea of formal vs. casual speech. When studying fundamental French phrases, resembling tips on how to say “hiya” in French, realizing when to make use of which greeting will allow you to current your self with the very best manners.
It’s a good suggestion to start out with a proper register, which is a extra respectful speech utilized in non-personal communication. Start with formal methods to say “hiya” in French, and when you get to know somebody nicely, you possibly can change to informal / casual speech and even slang!
Bonjour (hiya)
This most vital greeting can be utilized with anybody in virtually any circumstance. It’s made from the phrases bon (good) and jour (day) and is definitely the commonest greeting within the French language. There are two conditions wherein you shouldn’t use bonjour!: when it’s night and once you’re greeting an individual you’ve already greeted that day.
Bonsoir (hiya, good night)
However, keep away from bonjour whether it is night. Beginning at round 6 PM, French audio system will naturally shift to bonsoir (hiya, good night) for his or her greeting. In case you’re not conscious of the time, keep on with bonjour till you begin to hear others use bonsoir.
Rebonjour (hiya once more)
The primary time you greet somebody in the course of the day is taken into account your solely bonjour. A second bonjour may very well be thought of a bit impolite or absent-minded, as if you’ve forgotten that you simply greeted the particular person earlier within the day. You possibly can change to a different greeting, resembling rebonjour (hiya once more). Understanding these cultural tidbits will allow you to communicate French with confidence.
Formal French greeting pronunciations
| French Greeting | Pronunciation |
| bonjour | boh(n)-zjhoo(r) |
| bonsoir | boh(n)-swah(r) |
| rebonjour | ruh-boh(n)-zjhoo(r) |
The “n” is a part of a nasal vowel and virtually silent in bonjour. The “r” on the finish is barely pronounced in the back of the throat, however within the French approach, not the rhotic “r” of American English.
Informal methods to say “hiya” in French
As soon as some French audio system nicely, it’s possible you’ll need to discover ways to say “hiya” in French in a extra relaxed tone. Amongst associates, classmates, colleagues, household, or well-acquainted neighbors, it’s possible you’ll discover that individuals use extra informal greetings with one another. It’s a good suggestion to hearken to others and take your lead from what you hear.
Salut (hello)
Salut (hello, hey) can imply each an informal “hello” and a fast “bye!” You’ll hear this greeting in lots of French-speaking nations however usually in much less formal settings. In case you’re interacting with an worker of a retailer or restaurant, keep on with the formal bonjour, however when you’re assembly somebody for lunch with whom you’re on a first-name foundation, you’re good to go together with salut ! It is likely one of the best and friendliest methods to say “hiya” in French.
Allô (hiya)
This greeting will rely upon the place you’re within the francophone world. In French-speaking Canada, it’s possible you’ll hear this informal greeting in comparable conditions as salut. It may additionally be pronounced like “hiya” however with a silent “h.”
In France, you’ll hear this greeting when somebody solutions the cellphone. You’ll be able to reply with one other allô, bonjour, or bonsoir. To say who’s talking, use c’est (It’s) after which your identify. That is assuming you aren’t exchanging cellphone calls with certainly one of your shut contacts, when different informal greetings could apply!
Coucou ! (hello there!)
It’s one of many cutest methods to say “hiya” in French, however this greeting is used solely in particular, very pleasant conditions. You wouldn’t use this within the office, with strangers, or with servers or retailer workers. It may very well be a really pleasant greeting amongst shut family and friends or with babies or pets.
Coucou can also be used within the child sport “peekaboo” for the time being that you simply reveal your face.
You need to use faire un petit coucou (to say a fast hiya) once you simply need to cease by and say “hello” to somebody however when a protracted go to wouldn’t be anticipated. It’s certainly one of many French idioms that would allow you to wow native audio system!
- Eh, salut ! Je suis passé pour faire un petit coucou ! Ça va ? = Hey, hello! I simply got here by to say a fast hiya! How are you?
Informal French greeting pronunciations
The “t” is silent on the finish of salut. The “u” vowel is a really French-sounding vowel that’s unfamiliar to English audio system. Study to pronounce it like a local speaker with Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent speech recognition engine.
| French | Pronunciation |
| salut | sah-leu |
| allô | ah-loh |
| coucou | coo-coo |
Slang methods to say “hiya” in French
When the casual register simply isn’t informal sufficient, slang enters the chat. Slang has regional, generational, and cultural properties, so it can range enormously relying on who you’re speaking to! Including some slang to your speech generally is a enjoyable solution to categorical your self with a language associate that nicely and belief. Chatting with Rosetta Stone’s tutors is an ideal solution to check out some new expressions like these!
| French | English |
| Quoi de neuf ? | What’s new? |
| Jourbon ! | Slang model of bonjour (hiya) |
| Hey ! | English, however generally utilized in slang French |
| Wesh | Casual greeting just like “yo” or “whassup?” |
Different methods to say “hiya” in French
We’ve simply scratched the floor of all of the methods to say “hiya” and “How are you?” in French. Listed here are a number of extra you’ll hear and need to use in dialog!
Bienvenue ! (welcome)
Bienvenue means “welcome.” It’s a solution to greet visitors, and you might even see it on indicators upon coming into an airport or metropolis.
Bienvenue can also be utilized in Canada as a response to merci (thanks). It’s thought of a calque, or a loan-translation of the English expression.
In Customary French:
- Merci ! = Thanks!
- De rien. / Il n’y a pas de quoi. = You’re welcome. / It was nothing.
In Canadian French:
- Merci. = Thanks.
- Bienvenue ! = You’re welcome!
Bon Matin (good morning)
This expression just isn’t quite common however can be heard in Canada, as one other calque of “Good morning.” Study extra Canadian French expressions if Canada is your vacation spot!
| French | Pronunciation |
| Bienvenue ! | bee-eh(n) vuh-noo. |
| Merci ! | mai(r)-see |
| De rien ! | deuh- ree-eh(n) |
| Bon Matin ! | boh(n) mah-teh(n) |
What’s the distinction between bonjour and bonne journée?
Since jour means “day,” and journée additionally interprets to “day / daytime,” that is understandably complicated, however there’s a simple distinction. Say bonjour once you see somebody for the primary time (however solely that when!), and say bonne journée ! to imply “Have a pleasant day!” if you find yourself leaving or saying goodbye.
The identical distinction applies to bonsoir (seeing somebody for the primary time within the night) and bonne soirée (have a pleasant night).
Bonne nuit ! can be utilized to say “goodnight” once you’re going to sleep.
Don’t say mon ami !
As soon as some important French phrases, it’s possible you’ll need to say “Hiya my pal” in French as nicely. It’s a frequent stereotype for English audio system so as to add mon ami (my pal) to those greetings. This phrase is given to French-speaking characters in in style films and musicals and is commonly employed alongside a heavy French accent. It isn’t, nevertheless, a standard greeting in the actual world.
Mon ami (my pal; masculine) and mon amie (my pal; female) interprets to “my pal” however may really imply one thing extra private or affectionate. Particularly keep away from utilizing this phrase with strangers or acquaintances.
Study to say “hiya” in French with Rosetta Stone
Saying “hiya” and different greetings in French is a vital first step in studying to talk your new language. With somewhat information, you possibly can select the appropriate greeting for the time of day, and whether or not you’re saying “hiya” or “goodbye” in French.
Understanding the distinction between formal language, casual / informal speech, and slang helps you talk appropriately in every scenario. Utilizing Rosetta Stone’s knowledgeable assets can assist you pronounce all these phrases precisely and be understood nicely. Take the following step to speak with confidence!
