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French Vocabulary

Greetings, Salutations & Social Etiquette

Standard formulas for greeting, getting someone’s attention, and taking leave, with the cultural rules that govern their use.

Level A1 Category Vocabulary

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Lesson Summary

Standard formulas for greeting, getting someone’s attention, and taking leave, with the cultural rules that govern their use.

The Unspoken Rules of French Etiquette

The Importance of Bonjour

In French culture, omitting bonjour is considered a serious social error. It should always be spoken before a question or a transaction, as it establishes a respectful tone for the interaction.

Essential Greetings Grid

The table below provides the core expressions for everyday encounters. Click any French phrase to hear its natural pronunciation.

Greetings & Politeness Markers

French	English	Context
Bonjour	Hello / Good morning	Standard daytime greeting (all situations)
Salut	Hi / Bye	Only for friends and close acquaintances
Bonsoir	Good evening	Used after approximately 6 p.m. (all situations)
Au revoir	Goodbye	Standard farewell for any context
S'il vous plaît	Please	Formal: with strangers, superiors, or groups
S'il te plaît	Please	Informal: with friends, family, and children
Merci (beaucoup)	Thank you (very much)	Universal; beaucoup adds emphasis
De rien	You're welcome	Most common casual response to merci
Pardon / Excusez-moi	Sorry / Excuse me	For apologising or attracting attention
Comment allez-vous ?	How are you?	Formal; uses vous
Comment vas-tu ?	How are you?	Informal; uses tu
Ça va ?	How’s it going?	Everyday colloquial check‑in

Variations on 'You’re Welcome'

While de rien (literally 'of nothing') is the most common response to thanks, native speakers also use more polite forms:

Je vous en prie — Formal.
Je t’en prie— Informal.

Both express something close to 'by all means' or 'you’re very welcome'.

Examples

Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
A formal greeting. The use of vous maintains a polite distance.
Salut ! Ça va ?
An informal exchange between friends. The tu form is understood.