You probably know that bonjour means “hello” in French, but it also means “good morning.” It’s really all very simple comme bonjour (as simple as hello), meaning “very easy,” so you’re likely ready for a few ways to add variety to your greetings in the early part of the day.
Knowing a number of greetings can help you tailor your greeting to the situation, whether you’re at work, talking to family, or greeting a small child. This kind of cultural understanding is part of how Rosetta Stone works to build your confidence in communication from the simple “good morning” in French to advanced proficiency.
Table of Contents
Common ways to say ‘good morning’ in French
In the early part of the day, generally until midi (noon), you can say “good morning.” It’s considered polite and respectful to do so the first time you see someone in a day.
1. Bonjour (hello/good morning)
Does bonjour mean “hello” or “good morning?” It means both! It’s the simplest answer to “How do people say good morning in France,” so you can’t go wrong with this standard option for anyone.
2. Bon matin (good morning)
This greeting is somewhat common in Canadian French, but it’s considered an anglicisme (a word borrowed from or heavily influenced by English). As such, its use is criticized by some French speakers.
3. Passe/passez une bonne matinée (have a good morning)
This is less of a greeting and more of a goodbye. It’s a polite way of leave-taking you can use in many circumstances. Use passe, the tu form of the verb, if you’re talking to:
- a child
- a close friend
- a family member
- anyone you’re confident you can tutoyer (talk to using tu vs. vous)
Say passez, the vous form, to wish a nice morning to:
- a boss
- a stranger
- an adult older than you
- a group of more than one person or child
- any time you’re unsure if tu is appropriate
4. Salut /Coucou (hi)
These cute and very informal greetings are technically appropriate at any time of day. Imagine you’re waking up a small child and want to speak in a cuter way than a formal “good morning” in French.
You might follow up with tu as bien dormi ?, which is also appropriate when someone wakes up from une somme (a nap).
5. Je vous souhaite une bonne matinée (I wish you a good morning)
If you’re talking to a respected guest or a group of people, you may want to end a morning speech with a wish for a good morning. The vous (you) in this sentence is the plural form, so even if you’re talking to a group of close friends or children, you would use vous instead of tu.
When would you use matin (morning) vs. matinée (morning)? The difference is subtle and often depends on nuance in the French language. Learning with a proven method like Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion will ensure you see these words repeatedly in authentic contexts, so you’ll have an innate understanding of which one sounds correct.
- Bon matin (hello/good morning): used in Canada as a greeting
- Bonne matinée (have a good morning): used as a goodbye
- du matin (in the morning): used when telling time in French, like Il est huit heures du matin (It’s 8 o’clock in the morning).
6. ‘Good morning, my love’ in French
If you want to try out some mots doux (terms of endearment) with your romantic partner or loved one, be sure of their meanings first. French is a very romantic language, so there are plenty of options for every type of relationship.
- Bonjour, mon amour. (Good morning, my love.)
- Bonjour, mon chéri/ma chérie. (Good morning, my dear.)
- Bonjour, mon coeur. (Good morning, my heart.)
The French pronunciation guide can help you be sure you’re pronouncing French words correctly, because you’ll know that the “ch” in chéri/chérie (dear) is pronounced like the “sh” in “ship” and not like the “ch” in “church.”
How do you reply to ‘good morning’ in French?
More good news, you can simply reply with bonjour in most cases. If you want to mix it up, there are a few options depending on the situation.
Salut is a casual greeting that can be used at any time of day, with someone you know well. If it’s the second time you’ve seen the person that day, like passing each other at work, you can even say rebonjour, which would translate to something like “hello again,” which acknowledges that you’ve already greeted them that day.
In formal settings, you can add a title.
- Bonjour, Madame. = Good morning, Madam. (use with adult women)
- Bonjour, Mademoiselle. = Good morning, Miss. (use with young girls)
- Bonjour, Monsieur. = Good morning, Sir. (use with all men and boys)
If you have time to extend the conversation, you can always ask “How are you?” in French.
French terms for an early morning
Tu es du matin ? (Are you a morning person?) Whether or not you like having to “rise and shine,” you may need to get up before sunrise for an early flight, a class, or an early commute. Use these terms to rejoice, or complain, as appropriate.
- de bon matin (early in the morning)
- de grand matin (at the crack of dawn)
- le petit matin (just after dawn)
Remember, as the French say, l’avenir appartient à ceux que se lèvent tôt (the future belongs to those who wake up early), which conveys the same meaning as “the early bird catches the worm” in French. French idioms don’t always use the same words as their English equivalents.
French vocabulary related to the morning
Now that you know how to say “good morning” in French, this vocabulary can help you discuss the details.
| French | English |
| C’est l’heure de se lever. | It’s time to get up. |
| Debout ! | Get up! |
| éveillé/éveillée | awake (person) |
| faire la grasse matinée | to sleep in/to have a lie-in |
| faire la sieste/faire une somme | to take a nap |
| le matin | the morning |
| mettre le réveil | to set the alarm |
| repousser le réveil | to hit the snooze button |
| un réveil | an alarm clock |
| un réveil téléphonique | a wake-up call (on the phone) |
| la routine du matin | morning routine |
| se lever | to get up |
| se réveiller | to wake up |
Communicate with confidence du matin au soir (from dawn to dusk)
Mastering even basic phrases like “good morning” in French can unlock deep cultural understanding, connections with French-speakers, and opportunities to learn more French.
Beyond the words themselves, there are unwritten rules about how to greet people politely. Rosetta Stone puts phrases in authentic contexts, so you have excellent examples to follow. The Phrasebook in Rosetta Stone’s all-in-one app can be a great resource when you’re on the go, so you’ll be able to navigate common travel and social situations.
0 Commentaires