Good Morning in French: 12 Beautiful Ways to Greet the Day 🌞

When you start learning French, one of the first things you’ll want to know is how to say “good morning in French.” It’s such a natural way to connect with people—whether you’re greeting a friend, your boss, or even a stranger in a café.

But here’s the fun part: French doesn’t just have one way to say good morning. Depending on the situation, the level of formality, and even where you are (Paris vs. Quebec), you’ll hear several variations.

In this guide, we’ll explore 12 different ways to say good morning in French, learn when to use them, and uncover some cultural tips so you sound natural and polite. Ready? Let’s dive in!

1. Bonjour – The Classic “Good Morning” 🌸

• Most common way to say good morning in French.
• Literally means “good day.”
• Used in both formal and informal settings.
• Works with strangers, colleagues, and family.
• Can be used from morning until late afternoon.
• Pronunciation: bohn-zhoor (soft “n,” smooth “zh”).
• Universally understood in all Francophone communities.
• Considered the safest greeting when in doubt.
• Recognized by both Académie Française and everyday French speakers.
• A key phrase in French politeness and etiquette.

👉 Example: When entering a bakery in Paris, always start with “Bonjour!” before ordering. Skipping it can feel rude.

2. Salut – The Casual “Morning” 👋

• Informal version of “hi” or “hey.”
• Works best with friends, classmates, or close colleagues.
• Not recommended for bosses or strangers.
• Can be used in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
• Pronunciation: sah-loo (no “t” sound).
• Great for creating a friendly, laid-back vibe.
• Often paired with a smile or wave.
• Common among young people in France.
• Equivalent to saying just “’morning!” in English.
• Adds a touch of informality to conversations.

👉 Example: Greeting your best friend in the morning: “Salut, ça va ?” (Hey, how’s it going?).

3. Salut Toi – The Flirty Good Morning 😉

• A playful and slightly flirty version of “Salut.”
• Means “Hi, you.”
• Adds a personal and affectionate tone.
• Often used between couples or close friends.
• Can be texted in the morning to someone special.
• Works better in private settings than public.
• Not common in professional environments.
• Helps build intimacy and warmth.
• Used across France, but less in Canada.
• Pronunciation: sah-loo twah.

👉 Example: Sending a morning message to your partner: “Salut toi, tu as bien dormi ?” (Hi you, did you sleep well?).

4. Tu as bien dormi ? / Vous avez bien dormi ? 😴

• Literally means: “Did you sleep well?”
• A caring, thoughtful way to greet someone in the morning.
• Tu = informal (friends, family).
• Vous = formal (colleagues, elders, strangers).
• Perfect for morning conversations at home.
• Shows empathy and genuine interest.
• Can be paired with “Bonjour” for a polite start.
• Common in both France and Canada.
• Reflects French cultural expressions of care.
• Strengthens bonds in relationships.

👉 Example: Saying to a family member at breakfast: “Bonjour, tu as bien dormi ?”

5. Bonne Journée – “Have a Good Day” 🌞

• Used when parting ways in the morning.
• Similar to “Have a nice day” in English.
• Not a greeting, but a polite farewell.
• Pronunciation: bun zhoor-nay.
• Very common in shops and offices.
• Can be combined with “Bonjour.”
• Formal and informal friendly tone.
• Works across all Francophone regions.
• Reinforces French politeness culture.
• Often accompanied by a smile.

👉 Example: A cashier in Paris saying: “Bonne journée, à bientôt !”

6. Bon Matin – The Quebec Morning Greeting 🇨🇦

• Literally translates to “Good morning.”
• Common in Quebec and Canadian French.
• Rarely used in France.
• Pronunciation: bohn mah-tahn.
• Controversial: some say it’s not “correct” French according to traditionalists like the Académie Française.
• Recognized by the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).
• Natural for native Quebecers.
• Use it if you want to blend in locally in Canada.
• Shows awareness of Francophone diversity.
• Accepted as a genuine greeting in Quebec culture.

👉 Example: In Montreal, greeting a neighbor: “Bon matin !”

7. Bonne Matinée – Wishing a Good Morning ☕

• Means “Have a good morning.”
• A polite farewell, not a greeting.
• Slightly more refined than “Bonne journée.”
• Pronunciation: bun mah-tee-nay.
• Often used in morning-only contexts.
• More common in formal French.
• Less frequent in everyday casual speech.
• Still a useful polite expression.
• Can be used after breakfast meetings.
• Elegant way to wish someone well.

👉 Example: Leaving a hotel lobby in the morning: “Bonne matinée, monsieur.”

8. Bonsoir – Good Evening 🌙

• Means “Good evening.”
• Used after 6 p.m. or when it gets dark.
• Pronunciation: bohn-swahr.
• Should not be used in the morning.
• Sometimes confuses learners—morning = Bonjour, evening = Bonsoir.
• Universally accepted across Francophone countries.
• Works in both formal and informal settings.
• Can be followed by “Bonne soirée.”
• Reflects French greeting etiquette.
• Another example of time-based greetings.

👉 Example: Arriving at a dinner in Paris: “Bonsoir tout le monde !”

9. Bonne Soirée – Have a Good Evening 🌆

• Parting phrase, not a greeting.
• Equivalent to “Have a nice evening.”
• Pronunciation: bun swah-ray.
• Commonly used after 6 p.m.
• Formal and informal polite farewell.
• Complements “Bonsoir.”
• Culturally important in France.
• Shows attention to detail in greetings.
• Natural in shops, offices, and homes.
• Part of French politeness etiquette.

👉 Example: Saying goodbye after a café meeting: “Bonne soirée, merci !”

10. Comment Ça Va ? – The Conversational Good Morning 🗨️

• Means “How’s it going?”
• Often follows “Bonjour” or “Salut.”
• Casual and friendly.
• Pronunciation: koh-mahn sah vah.
• Not limited to mornings, but works well as a follow-up.
• Adds warmth to conversations.
• Shows genuine interest in the person.
• Used in both France and Canada.
• Can be formal (Comment allez-vous ?) or informal.
• A classic French cultural expression.

👉 Example: Greeting a colleague: “Bonjour, comment ça va ?”

11. Greeting Etiquette in France 🇫🇷

• Always greet before asking for service.
• Skipping “Bonjour” feels impolite.
• Use “Vous” in formal situations.
• “Tu” is for friends, family, or children.
• Handshakes are common in professional settings.
• Kissing on the cheek (la bise) is common among friends.
• In shops, greet the seller before asking questions.
• Be polite when leaving: “Bonne journée” or “Au revoir.”
• Greetings change depending on time of day.
• Respect for French politeness rules is highly valued.

👉 Tip: In France, greetings are as important as the conversation itself!

12. How to Sound Natural When Saying Good Morning in French 🗝️

• Pronounce words clearly, not too fast.
• Pay attention to nasal sounds (bon, bonjour).
• Smile—it changes how your greeting feels.
• Match formality to the situation.
• Start with “Bonjour” if unsure.
• Use “Salut” only with people you know.
• Don’t mix “Bon matin” in France—it feels odd.
• Add phrases like “Ça va ?” to keep it friendly.
• Practice with audio to improve pronunciation.
• Listen to native speakers for rhythm.

👉 Example: Saying “Bonjour, monsieur, comment allez-vous ?” sounds polite and perfectly natural.

Do the French Really Say “Good Morning”? 🤔

Interestingly, the French don’t use a direct equivalent of “Good morning” like in English. Instead, “Bonjour” covers both “Good morning” and “Good day.” This reflects a cultural difference: in France, greetings are more about politeness and connection than just time of day.

In Quebec French, however, “Bon matin” has become a standard phrase, influenced by English. So depending on where you are, “good morning in French” might sound different!

Conclusion

Now you know more than just “Bonjour.” 🎉 You’ve learned 12 different ways to say good morning in French, when to use them, and how to sound natural.

Whether you’re practicing French in Paris, Montreal, or just with a study buddy, try mixing greetings to match the situation. From the classic Bonjour to the Quebec Bon matin, you’re now ready to greet like a native!