Hi there! 🖐️ Are you ready to learn some French today? French is such a beautiful language, and it’s super fun to learn. Don’t worry if you’re just starting—it’s like a little adventure! Let’s begin with greetings, which are the words you use to say hello and be polite.
Say Hello in French
When you meet someone, the first thing you say is “hello.” Here’s how to say it in French:
- Salut (Sah-loo) – Hi 👋
Say this when you see a friend or someone your age. It’s casual and friendly. - Bonjour (Bon-zhoor) – Hello or Good morning 🌞
Use this during the daytime. It’s polite and works with everyone—friends, family, or new people! - Bon après-midi (Bon ah-pray mee-dee) – Good afternoon ☀️
Say this in the afternoon, maybe after lunch. - Bonsoir (Bon-swar) – Good evening 🌅
Use this when the sun starts going down. - Bonne nuit (Bon nwee) – Good night 🌙
Say this before bedtime to wish someone sweet dreams.
Try saying each of these words out loud. You’ll sound so French already! 🎉
Be Polite and Make Friends
After saying hello, it’s nice to ask how someone is doing or introduce yourself. Let’s learn how to do that in French!
- Comment ça va ? (Kom-moh sah vah) – How are you?
Use this to ask someone if they’re doing okay. - Ça va bien, merci. (Sah vah byan, mer-see) – I’m good, thank you. 😊
Say this if you’re feeling good and want to be polite. - Enchanté. (On-shon-tay) – Nice to meet you!
Say this when you meet someone for the first time. - Comment allez-vous ? (Kom-moh ah-lay voo) – How are you? (very polite)
Use this with teachers, older people, or anyone you want to show respect to. - Je vais bien, merci. (Zuh vay byan, mer-see) – I’m good, thank you. 😊
Another way to say you’re doing well. - Et vous ? (Ay voo) – And you?
Use this to ask the other person how they’re doing. - Je vais bien aussi. (Zuh vay byan oh-see) – I’m good too. 😊
Say this if you’re feeling good, just like the person you’re talking to.
Time for Fun Practice!
Let’s pretend we’re meeting someone new. Here’s a little game you can play:
- Pretend someone says to you, “Bonjour!”
- You can reply with, “Bonjour! Comment ça va ?”
- Then they might say, “Ça va bien, merci. Et vous ?”
- You can finish by saying, “Je vais bien aussi. Enchanté !”
Wasn’t that fun? Practice with a friend or even with your favorite stuffed animal. The more you practice, the better you’ll get!
Little Tips to Remember
- Say Bonjour during the day and Bonsoir in the evening.
- Always say Merci (thank you) when someone says something nice to you.
- Don’t worry if it feels tricky at first—it gets easier with practice!
What’s Next?
You’ve learned some great words and phrases today! Keep practicing, and soon you’ll feel comfortable greeting people in French. Next time, we’ll learn how to talk about ourselves, like saying your name and where you’re from.
Keep up the great work—you’re doing amazing! 🎉
Did you like this lesson? À bientôt! (See you soon!) 😊