👋 How to Say Hi in French – A Friendly Guide
One of the first words you’ll want to master is how to say hi in French—and luckily, it’s a fun one!
👋 The Go-To Greeting: Salut!
To say hi in French, just say Salut!
It’s short, cheerful, and very commonly used among French speakers.
But here’s the thing: “Salut” is informal.
You’ll want to use it with people you already know—friends, classmates, colleagues you’re close with, or someone you’ve already connected with, like that person you met at a dinner party last weekend.
Example:
You wouldn’t say “Salut” to the cashier at the supermarket, even if you see her often. A polite “Bonjour” is better there. But if you bump into a coworker in the hallway that you get along with? Salut works just fine.
🧑🏫 Quick Reference: “Salut” at a Glance
| French Greeting | English Equivalent | IPA | Pronunciation | Use |
| Salut | Hi / Hey / Hello | /saly/ | sah-loo | Informal settings |
Is “Salut” Just for Friends?
Not necessarily! You can also use Salut at work—depending on your job, your office culture, and your relationship with the person. For example, people in creative or tech fields (like IT) tend to be more relaxed than someone working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
💡 Pro tip: The best way to know what to say?
Pay attention to how others greet you—and just mirror it.
🎯 Age Doesn’t Always Matter
You might think Salut is only for the young—but not always. Yes, it’s safer to say it to kids or teens, but many older people have a youthful spirit and appreciate informal vibes too. Some even prefer it!
💫 A Super-Friendly Alternative: Coucou
If you’re really happy to see someone—or it’s a bit of a surprise—you can say: Coucou!
It’s even more informal than Salut, and it gives off a warm, friendly, almost playful tone. Think of it as a French version of “Hey there!” or “Hiya!”
Example:
“Coucou ! Ça va ?”
“Hey there! How are you?”
This one is especially popular in texts or casual conversations. Use it with friends, family, or people you’re close with—and you’ll sound very French!
☀️ The Classic Greetings: Bonjour and Bonsoir
For more formal situations—or when you’re just not sure—go with the classics:
| French Greeting | English | IPA | Pronunciation | Use |
| Bonjour | Good morning / Hello | /bɔ̃ʒuʁ/ | bohn-zhoor | During the day |
| Bonsoir | Good evening | /bɔ̃swaʁ/ | bohn-swahr | Evening |
Once you’ve mastered “hi,” you can also learn how to greet someone in the evening with good evening in French.
👩⚖️ Add a Touch of Politeness
Want to be a little more respectful or formal? Just add:
- Bonjour, Madame.
- Bonjour, Monsieur.
- Bonjour, Juliette.
- Bonsoir, Monsieur Duris.
It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way in French culture.
Along with greetings, it’s handy to know polite phrases like please in French to make your conversations smoother.
📣 Pronunciation Help
French pronunciation can be tricky at first, but don’t worry!
Here’s a tool that can help you hear and practice:
👉 Easy Pronunciation – French Phonetic Converter
🇫🇷 Cultural Tip: Greet First—Always!
Here’s something that surprises a lot of learners:
In France, you must say hello before anything else.
Especially in small shops, cafés, or the bakery. If you walk in and immediately ask for something without greeting first, you might get a stern look—or be completely ignored!
I’ve seen it happen more than once: a customer walks in and says,
“Un croissant, s’il vous plaît.”
And the baker responds,
“D’abord, bonjour.” (First, hello.)
So always start with a smile and a “Bonjour”—then make your request.
Correct version:
“Bonjour. Je voudrais un croissant, s’il vous plaît.”
It’s polite, it’s expected, and it makes everything smoother.
Final word
Now that you know how to say hi like a local, you’re one step closer to sounding truly French! ✨
After greeting someone, the next step is to ask their name—learn how with our guide to what is your name in French.
After learning how to say hi, make sure you also know how to say bye in French for a complete conversation.