Hello and Addressing people

Bonjour. Saying hello  is more than just a matter of greeting someone; it’s the very first word you should say when entering a store, asking for help, or beginning any kind of conversation whatsoever.

The most common greeting in French is the very useful “bonjour”, and “bonsoir”. The first can be used throughout the day, and the second in the evening. “Salut” is also widely used in a more informal setting. “Coucou” is very informal and used between friends only or to greet young children.

Asking how someone is

In French, before asking ‘How are you?’ we need to consider who we are talking to and how many people we are addressing.

*Pronunciation Guide:  When a c has a cedilla – the funny squiggle underneath – the c is pronounced s. Sa va ?)

Formality

Formality is important in the French language. Titles are used widely in French: monsieur for a man, madame for a woman, or mademoiselle for a young woman.

Titles are normally used by both parties where a service is sought and given, for example, in shops, banks, restaurants, cafés and hotels. Also, titles are used to address people you’re not on first-name terms with. On entering a shop, French people often address everyone present with a quietly-spoken Monsieur-dame ! or to a larger group, Messieurs-dames !

When followed by a surname, these titles are shortened in writing (exept in letters) to M., Mme and Mlle.

Vous

When speaking to someone we do not know well, or to a group of people, you would use vous.  

*Pronunciation Guide:  Remember the liaison between comment and allez. This means pronouncing the otherwise unpronounced “t” because the next word starts with a vowel.  Comment allez-vous ? ➤ Com-auhn-tallay-vouh?

Goodbye

We have fewer options available to us for saying goodbye.

• Au revoir for all situations
• Bonsoir after 6pm
• Salut for friends only at anytime.

Here is a list of goodbye

What’s your name?

In French, there are many ways to say “What’s your name“.  So, if someone asks you one of these: