Good Morning in French: Bonjour, Bonsoir & Greetings

You’ve probably typed “good morning in French” into a translator once or twice, only to get a phrase you never actually hear French people say. The truth is, the most common morning greeting isn’t a direct translation at all — it’s bonjour, a word that pulls double duty as “hello” and “good day,” and this guide walks through the real-world rules French speakers follow, the handful of regional twists, and the mistakes that instantly mark you as a non-native.

Most common morning greeting: Bonjour (used from waking until about 6 p.m.) ·
Literal meaning of bonjour: ‘Good day’ (bon + jour) ·
Regional alternative (Quebec): Bonne matinée (often said as a farewell) ·
Formal vs. informal: Bonjour works in both settings ·
Evening greeting: Bonsoir (from around 6 p.m.) ·
Common mistake: Using ‘bonsoir’ in the morning

Five key facts about French greetings, one pattern: every greeting is tied to the time of day, not the literal “good morning” translation.

How do French people say good morning?

The universal greeting: Bonjour

French speakers use bonjour from the moment they wake up until early evening. According to iTranslate (language guide), bonjour is the standard way to greet someone in the morning, regardless of formality. It’s pronounced “bon-zhoor” with a nasal ‘o’ and a soft ‘zh’ — the ‘r’ at the end must be audible.

Regional and time-of-day nuances

• In France, you won’t hear a literal “good morning” — the phrase bon matin is not idiomatic (Park Lane Jewelry (etiquette resource)).
• In Quebec, bonne matinée is sometimes used as a farewell in the early morning (iTranslate (language guide)).

The implication: stick with bonjour for greetings and save “bonne matinée” for leaving a morning conversation in Canada.

1. Use bonjour from waking until about 6 p.m.
2. Switch to bonsoir after 6 p.m.
3. Avoid “bon matin” in France.
4. In Quebec, use “bonne matinée” as a farewell.
5. Pronounce the final ‘r’ in bonjour.

Is Bonjour good morning or hello?

Bonjour as a day-long greeting

iTranslate (language guide) notes that bonjour literally means “good day” and works both as “hello” and “good morning.” There is no separate word for “good morning” in standard French — bonjour covers both until about 6 p.m.

Why ‘good morning’ is rarely said literally

English speakers often look for a direct translation, but French grammar does not use an adjective-noun combination for morning greetings. Bon matin exists in Canadian French but is considered awkward in France (Park Lane Jewelry (etiquette resource)). A Park Lane Jewelry (etiquette resource) guide warns that “bon matin” will mark you as a non-native speaker.

Bottom line: Non-native speakers who reach for a literal “good morning” will sound foreign. The safe bet is bonjour for any morning greeting, and bonsoir after 6 p.m.

The pattern: French speakers avoid literal translations and rely on time-based greetings.

What are the 8 greetings in French?

Morning and daytime greetings

• Bonjour — until 6 p.m. (formal and informal)
• Bonne journée — “have a good day,” used as a farewell (iTranslate (language guide))
• Bon après-midi — “good afternoon” (Park Lane Jewelry (etiquette resource))

Evening and night greetings

• Bonsoir — from around 6 p.m. (Park Lane Jewelry (etiquette resource))
• Bonne soirée — “have a good evening” (farewell)
• Bonne nuit — “good night” (when going to bed)

Informal and slang greetings

• Salut — “hi” or “bye,” casual
• Coucou — “hey,” very informal, used between close friends
• Au revoir — “goodbye” (not a greeting, but part of the core set)

The trade-off: the more informal the greeting, the more you need to know your audience. Coucou is charming with a friend, but out of place in a business email.

Is Bonsoir for morning?

When to use bonsoir

Bonsoir is strictly an evening greeting. According to Park Lane Jewelry (etiquette resource), it becomes appropriate from late afternoon onward — roughly 6 p.m. Using bonsoir in the morning is incorrect and will likely draw a puzzled reaction.

Difference between bonjour and bonsoir

The key difference is the time window and the root word: jour (day) vs. soir (evening). iTranslate (language guide) explains that bonsoir carries the same dual meaning as bonjour — it can be both “good evening” and “hello” during evening hours.

“In France, bonsoir is the default after the sun starts going down. Saying it before 5 p.m. is a dead giveaway you’re not a local.”

Rocket Languages (language course publisher)

The catch is that the time boundary is flexible, so observing native usage is key.

What do French people say in the morning?

Common morning phrases beyond bonjour

• Bonjour, comment ça va? — “Good morning, how are you?” adds a personal inquiry (iTranslate (language guide)).
• Bonne matinée — “have a good morning” is a farewell, not a greeting, used mostly in Quebec.
• Bonjour à tous — “good morning everyone” for groups.

Morning greetings in professional settings

In formal emails, French speakers often begin with just “Bonjour” regardless of the time of day. According to Park Lane Jewelry (etiquette resource), bonjour is considered polite enough for any professional situation, and you do not need a more formal “good morning” equivalent.

“French people never say ‘good morning’ directly. They say ‘bonjour’ and that covers everything until evening.” For a comprehensive look at French greetings, including how to say good morning, check out this guide Sissal Melodi Grand Prix.

User on r/French (community discussion)

“Bonjour can be used until 6 p.m. in most of France. After that, switch to bonsoir to sound natural.”

Berlitz (language school)

For learners, the pattern is clear: master bonjour and bonsoir first. Everything else is a variation on those two pillars.

For learners curious about regional differences, Quebecs Salut Bonjour greeting explores Quebec’s distinct morning greeting.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Thank You in Italian: Grazie, Prego Pronunciation & Etiquette · English to German Translation: Tools, Phrases & Tips

For anyone learning French, the choice between bonjour and bonsoir is the single most visible marker of competence. The rule is simple: use bonjour until the light starts to fade, then switch. Quebec adds a wrinkle with ‘bonne matinée,’ but for the vast majority of interactions in France, bonjour alone covers every morning need. Stick with it, pronounce the final ‘r,’ and you’ll avoid the most common trap English speakers fall into.