Learning how to say Good Morning in French is a simple way to start your day with warmth and respect. The most common phrase is “Bonjour” (pronounced: bon-zhoor). You can use it in almost every situation—whether you’re greeting a friend, talking to a teacher, or meeting someone new.
It’s polite, friendly, and widely understood in French-speaking countries. Using this greeting helps you sound more confident and natural when speaking French. Once you learn it, you can use it anywhere—from casual chats to formal settings. It’s one of the easiest and most important phrases to begin your French-learning journey.
Say Good Morning in French
Here’s a table with 15 different ways to say Good Morning in French along with their meanings and usage:
| French Phrase | English Meaning | Usage / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Good morning / Hello | Standard and most common greeting used until late afternoon. |
| Salut | Hi | Informal, used with friends or peers. |
| Coucou | Hey / Hi there | Very casual, friendly, often used with kids or close friends. |
| Bonne matinée | Have a good morning | Used when parting ways in the morning. |
| Bonjour à tous | Good morning everyone | Used to greet a group of people. |
| Bonjour, mon ami(e) | Good morning, my friend | Friendly and warm greeting. |
| Bonjour, comment ça va ? | Good morning, how are you? | Polite, everyday greeting. |
| Bonjour, monsieur | Good morning, sir | Formal, used with men. |
| Bonjour, madame | Good morning, madam | Formal, used with women. |
| Bonjour, mademoiselle | Good morning, miss | Formal, polite with younger women. |
| Bonjour tout le monde | Good morning everyone | Friendly greeting to a group. |
| Bien le bonjour | A good morning to you | Slightly old-fashioned, polite. |
| Bonjour et bienvenue | Good morning and welcome | Used when welcoming guests. |
| Bonjour, ma chère | Good morning, my dear | Warm, affectionate greeting. |
| Matin ! | Morning! | Informal, short version of “good morning”. |
1. Bonjour – Good day / Good morning
Origin:
From “bon” (good) + “jour” (day), this is the most common and universal French greeting during the day.
Example:
👤 User A: Bonjour, Madame Dupont!
👤 User B: Bonjour, Lucas. Vous allez bien?
Use: Formal and neutral; suitable for all situations, especially in the morning or early afternoon.
2. Salut – Hi
Origin:
Derived from the Latin salus, meaning “health.” It’s a friendly way to say hi, used more in casual settings.
Example:
👤 User A: Salut, Marie! Bien dormi?
👤 User B: Salut! Oui, super bien.
Use: Informal; used with friends, family, or young people.
3. Coucou – Hey there / Peekaboo
Origin:
Mimics the sound of “peekaboo” (used for children). It’s cute and playful, often between close friends or lovers.
Example:
👤 User A: Coucou toi, tu es réveillé?
👤 User B: Coucou! Depuis un moment déjà.
Use: Very informal and affectionate.
4. Bonne matinée – Have a good morning
Origin:
Used when saying goodbye in the morning, not as a greeting. It’s a polite way to wish someone well.
Example:
👤 User A: Je dois y aller. Bonne matinée !
👤 User B: Merci, toi aussi !
Use: Polite farewell in the morning.
5. Bon réveil – Good wake-up
Origin:
Rare but used poetically or intimately, especially in texts or messages to someone who just woke up.
Example:
👤 User A: Bon réveil, mon amour ❤️
👤 User B: Trop mignon, merci 😊
Use: Romantic or poetic; not commonly used in speech.
6. Hello – Hello (used in French too!)
Origin:
Borrowed from English, this is commonly used in modern French, especially among youth or in international business.
Example:
👤 User A: Hello tout le monde!
👤 User B: Hello! Prêt pour la réunion ?
Use: Informal; often used in casual or trendy environments.
7. Yo – Yo (slang)
Origin:
Like in English, “yo” is urban slang, popular among French teens and young adults.
Example:
👤 User A: Yo, t’as bien dormi ?
👤 User B: Yo ! Comme un bébé.
Use: Very informal; youth slang.
8. Bien le bonjour – A very good day to you
Origin:
Old-fashioned and literary, it’s used humorously or dramatically nowadays.
Example:
👤 User A: Bien le bonjour, cher voisin !
👤 User B: Haha, bien le bonjour à vous aussi !
Use: Formal, theatrical, or humorous.
9. Rebonjour – Hello again
Origin:
Literally means “hello again,” used when you see someone twice in a short span.
Example:
👤 User A: Ah, rebonjour !
👤 User B: Oui, encore toi !
Use: Friendly and situational.
10. Bon matin – Good morning
Origin:
This is not standard in France, but it’s widely used in Canadian French (Québec).
Example:
👤 User A: Bon matin! Tu veux un café?
👤 User B: Oui, avec plaisir!
Use: Regional (mainly Québec); avoid in France.
11. Matinale, hein ? – Up early, huh?
Origin:
Informal and friendly comment on someone waking up early.
Example:
👤 User A: Matinale, hein ?
👤 User B: Oui, je devais finir un dossier.
Use: Casual, often humorous.
12. Debout là-dedans ! – Up and at ’em!
Origin:
Slangy, energetic phrase used to wake someone up playfully.
Example:
👤 User A: Allez, debout là-dedans !
👤 User B: Oh là là, déjà ?
Use: Informal; often used by parents or roommates.
13. Bonne journée – Have a good day
Origin:
Common polite farewell that starts being used in the morning.
Example:
👤 User A: À plus tard ! Bonne journée !
👤 User B: Merci, toi aussi !
Use: Polite; not a greeting but a goodbye.
14. T’es déjà levé(e) ? – You’re already up?
Origin:
Common morning comment among close people at home.
Example:
👤 User A: T’es déjà levée ?
👤 User B: Eh oui, depuis 7h !
Use: Informal, home or family setting.
15. La forme ce matin ? – Feeling good this morning?
Origin:
“La forme” is French slang for “feeling good/energetic.”
Example:
👤 User A: Salut ! La forme ce matin ?
👤 User B: Ouais, grave !
Use: Informal and energetic; shows concern and cheer.
FAQs
1. What is the most common way to say Good Morning in French?
The most common and widely used phrase is “Bonjour.”
2. How do you pronounce “Bonjour”?
It is pronounced as bon-zhoor (with a soft “zh” sound like the “s” in “measure”).
3. Can “Bonjour” be used all day?
Yes, Bonjour is used from morning until early evening, not just in the morning.
4. Is “Bon matin” correct in French?
In France, people don’t usually say Bon matin, but in Canada (Quebec), it is used more commonly.
5. How to say Good Morning politely in a formal setting?
You can simply say “Bonjour, monsieur” (Good morning, sir) or “Bonjour, madame.”
6. How to respond when someone says “Bonjour”?
You can reply with “Bonjour” back, or add a smile and “Ça va?” (How are you?)
7. Is “Bonjour” used for texting too?
Yes, you can text “Bonjour 😊” in messages—it’s friendly and polite.
8. What time should I stop saying “Bonjour”?
Usually around 5–6 PM, after that you switch to “Bonsoir” (Good evening).
Conclusion:
How to Say Good Morning in French is one of the most useful phrases you can learn to start your day with warmth and politeness. Whether you’re greeting a friend, colleague, or stranger, saying “Bonjour” helps you make a great first impression.
Now that you know the basics and a few variations, you can confidently greet anyone the French way.
Liam Bennett is a dedicated content writer who creates clear, engaging, and well-structured articles.
He focuses on delivering practical information that is easy for readers to understand and apply.
Liam Bennett currently writes high-quality content for repliesnest.com, ensuring clarity and reliability.
