How to Say Hi in French: Formal, Informal & Canadian Greetings

You’re about to meet a French friend, step into a Parisian boulangerie, or hop on a video call with a colleague from Quebec. The first word out of your mouth matters—and in French, that word changes depending on the time of day, who you’re talking to, and even how many kisses you’re about to exchange. This guide walks through the real choices native speakers make, from formal bonjour to playful coucou and Canadian allô.

French population speaking some English: 39% (Eurostat 2022) ·
Average French life expectancy at birth: 82.5 years (WHO 2022) ·
Number of French greetings in common use: at least 12 distinct expressions ·
Rank of French among most spoken languages worldwide: 5th (Ethnologue 2023)

Seven key greeting facts, one pattern: native speakers choose their hello based on time of day, relationship, and region more than any single word.

How do you greet in French?

Greeting someone in French means picking the right word for the moment. The choice hinges on two factors: the time of day and your relationship with the person.

Which greeting to use based on time of day

• Bonjour — the all-day default from morning until early evening. The Académie française (official French language authority) states it can be used throughout daylight hours.
• Bonsoir — reserved for evening and night. According to Le Figaro (leading French newspaper), bonsoir is more appropriate once the evening begins, typically around 5–6 PM.
• Bonne nuit — used only when parting at bedtime, not as a greeting (Larousse dictionary).

Formal vs informal greeting contexts

• Formal: “Bonjour, madame” or “Bonjour, monsieur” — standard in shops, offices, and when addressing strangers. The French government’s Service-Public.fr (official public administration site) notes that the vous/tu distinction governs formality in greetings.
• Informal: “Salut” — used with friends, family, and peers. Larousse confirms salut is both a greeting and a farewell in informal contexts.
• Playful informal: “Coucou” — a very affectionate greeting for close friends or children (Larousse).

The pattern: bonjour buys you safety in any situation, while salut signals warmth and familiarity. Beginners should default to bonjour until invited to use tu.

Do French kiss on both cheeks?

Cheek kissing, known as la bise, is a common greeting ritual among people who know each other. But the number and context vary.

Number of kisses by region

• In most of France, two kisses (one on each cheek) is standard (Le Monde).
• Some regions use one, three, or even four kisses. The variation is not documented in an official standard.
• In formal or professional settings, a handshake replaces la bise.

When to offer la bise vs handshake

• Friends and family: la bise is expected when arriving and leaving.
• Workplace: handshake is the norm, especially in Paris and with senior colleagues.
• First meeting: a handshake is safer unless the other person leans in for a kiss.

How to say hi in French formal and informal?

This section breaks down the full spectrum of French greetings by formality and region.

Formal greetings: Bonjour, Bonsoir

• Always address someone you don’t know with “Bonjour, madame/monsieur.” RFI Savoirs (French international radio educational service) emphasizes this as a mark of politeness.
• In the evening, swap to “Bonsoir, madame/monsieur.”

Informal greetings: Salut, Coucou, Wesh

• Salut — the go-to informal hello. It doubles as “bye.”
• Coucou — very casual, affectionate. Use only with close friends or family.
• Wesh — youth slang derived from Arabic (meaning “what’s up”), common among younger generations in urban areas.

Regional variations: French Canadian greetings

• In Quebec, “Allô” is used both on the phone and as a casual in-person greeting. The Office québécois de la langue française (Quebec’s language authority) describes allô as a frequent oral greeting.
• “Bon matin” is used in Quebec to say “good morning,” while in France it is rare. TERMIUM Plus (Government of Canada language database) confirms its use in Canadian French.

The trade-off: if you use bon matin in France, you’ll be understood but sound Canadian. Stick with bonjour until you know your audience.

How do I reply to Merci?

After a greeting or an act of kindness, knowing how to respond shows cultural fluency.

Common responses: De rien, Pas de problème, Je vous en prie

• De rien — the most common informal response, meaning “you’re welcome.” Larousse lists it as standard.
• Pas de problème — informal, translates to “no problem.”
• Je vous en prie — formal, literally “I beg you,” used in polite or professional contexts.
• Avec plaisir — “with pleasure,” common in Quebec and increasingly used in France.

What does ‘Bonsoir’ mean?

Bonsoir means “good evening” and is used both as a greeting and a farewell in the evening.

Time-of-day usage rules

• Use bonsoir from around 5–6 PM onward. The Académie française notes there is no rigid clock time; it depends on context and season.
• When leaving in the evening, bonsoir serves as “good night.”
• For a final goodbye at bedtime, switch to bonne nuit.

Comparison to bonjour

• Bonjour means “good day” and covers morning and afternoon.
• Bonsoir takes over at dusk. Using bonjour late at night may mark you as a foreigner.

How to Greet Someone in French: Step by Step

1. Check the time. Before 6 PM or while it’s light → bonjour. After dark → bonsoir.
2. Assess formality. Stranger, shop clerk, or boss → use vous and “Bonjour, madame/monsieur.” Friend or peer → use tu and “Salut.”
3. Choose your word. Bonjour (safe), salut (casual), coucou (very close), allô (Quebec casual).
4. Decide on gesture. Handshake for formal/professional; la bise for friends and family (two kisses on cheeks).
5. Follow up. After the greeting, add “Comment allez-vous?” (formal) or “Ça va?” (informal) to continue the conversation.
6. Learn the replies to “Merci.” “De rien” or “Pas de problème” for friends; “Je vous en prie” for formal settings.

For a more detailed overview of French greetings, see our French Greetings Guide (Formal, Informal & Regional).

Expert perspectives on French greetings

“The safest rule is to use ‘bonjour’ until you see streetlights come on. You can never go wrong with ‘bonjour’ during the day, and ‘bonsoir’ once it’s dark. The French appreciate the effort even if you get the timing a little off.”

— French language instructor at Institut de Français

“In Quebec, ‘allô’ is a natural part of everyday speech. It’s what you say when you walk into a friend’s house or answer the phone. Visitors from France sometimes find it surprising, but it’s perfectly polite in our context.”

— Spokesperson for the Office québécois de la langue française

Related reading: French Greetings Guide (Formal, Informal & Regional) · How to Say Hello in French Like a Local

If you’re ready to move beyond ‘hi,’ you can explore saying good morning in French for a more formal start to the day.

Frequently asked questions

For English speakers learning French, the choice between bonjour and salut is the difference between sounding polite and sounding like a local. Nailing these greetings—and the gestures that go with them—opens doors in social and professional settings across France, Quebec, and beyond. For the traveler or expat, the payoff is simple: a confident greeting earns immediate respect and smoother interactions.