See also:
👉 Bonjour (hello) — updated 1/2/26 with new audio examples »
👉 30 French Greetings (with audio) »
👉 15 ways to say goodbye in French (with audio) »
Level A1-A2 (Beginner)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
There are many more ways to say hello in French than just the classic bonjour and salut. This lesson teaches 20 real ways to say hello in French — greetings you’ll actually hear on the streets of Paris and across France. Keep reading to learn how to say hello in French naturally, with the right tone for every situation!
👉 Listen to native audio for each greeting below.
Common ways to say hello in French
1. Bonjour — Hello / Good morning
Bonjour means both “good morning” and “hello.” It’s the most common French greeting and can be used throughout the day in almost any situation.
2. Salut — Hi / Bye (informal)
Salut means “hi” and is used between friends, classmates, or people your age. It’s also used to say “bye.” Avoid using salut in very formal situations.
3. Bonsoir — Good evening
Bonsoir means “good evening.” It’s the polite greeting to use after about 6 p.m., when bonjour starts to sound out of place.
4. Coucou — Hey there
Coucou is a super friendly, informal way to say “hi there!” It’s often used with children, close friends, or in text messages.
5. Bien le bonjour — Well hello! (old-fashioned)
Bien le bonjour literally means “well, hello!” It’s an old-fashioned or theatrical greeting you might hear jokingly, but it’s not common in everyday conversation.
6. Bienvenue — Welcome
Bienvenue means “welcome” and can also be used as a greeting when someone arrives.
Example: “Bienvenue à Paris !” — “Welcome to Paris!”
7. Ça gaze ? — How’s it going? (slang)
Ça gaze ? is a slightly dated slang expression that means “How’s it going?” or “What’s up?” The literal translation is “It gasses?” but in practice, it means “Everything okay?”
8. Quoi de neuf ? — What’s new?
Quoi de neuf ? literally means “What’s new?” It’s a casual way to ask how someone’s doing or what’s been happening, as in “Salut, quoi de neuf ?” (Hey, what’s new?).
9. Allô — Hello (on the phone)
Allô is only used when answering the phone, as in “Allô ? Oui, c’est moi !” (Hello? Yes, it’s me!).
10. Enchanté(e) — Nice to meet you
Enchanté(e) both means “Nice to meet you.” For example, Enchanté de faire votre connaissance means “Nice to meet you.” The -e is added for feminine speakers.
11. Ça roule ? — How’s it going? (casual)
Ça roule ? literally means it rolls and is a friendly way to say “How’s it going?” You can reply Ça roule ! — “It’s going great!”
12. Ça fait longtemps ! — Long time no see!
Ça fait longtemps ! means it’s been a long time, or long time no see. Use it when you meet someone you haven’t seen for a while.
13. Ça baigne ? — Everything going smoothly?
Ça baigne ? literally means it bathes but is a slangy way to ask “Everything okay?” or “All good?” You can answer Oui, ça baigne ! — “Yep, all good!”
14. Quoi de beau ? — What’s up? / What’s new?
Quoi de beau ? translates literally to what’s beautiful and is another casual “What’s up?” type greeting that shows curiosity about what’s going on in someone’s life.
15. Salut toi ! — Hey you!
Salut toi ! means “Hey you!” and is very familiar and affectionate. Use it with friends, kids, or people you’re close to.
16. Salut mon grand / ma grande — Hey big guy / big girl
Salut mon grand (to a male) and Salut ma grande (to a female) are warm, friendly greetings for siblings, kids, or older peers you know well.
17. Salut ma belle — Hi beautiful
Salut ma belle means “Hi beautiful!” It’s an affectionate greeting for a woman you’re close to, whether romantic or friendly.
18. Tiens, un revenant ! — Hello stranger!
Tiens, un revenant ! literally means well, a ghost and is used jokingly when someone you haven’t seen in a long time shows up.
19. Salut ma puce — Hi honey / sweetheart
Salut ma puce literally means hi my flea, but ma puce is a common term of endearment like “sweetie” or “honey.”
20. Bon matin — Good morning (Canada only)
Bon matin means “Good morning!” but is used only in Quebec and other parts of French-speaking Canada — not in France.
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