bonjour
/bɔ̃.ʒuʁ/
hello
Bonjour, comment ça va ?
Hello, how are you?
neutral
A greeting used to say hello, typically during the daytime.
Bonjour, Madame Dupont !
Hello, Mrs. Dupont!
Il m'a dit bonjour en entrant.
He said hello to me as he came in.
Used in both formal and informal contexts. In some regions, it may also be used as a farewell.
Pro Tip
Timing Matters
Use 'bonjour' from morning until evening. After sunset, 'bonsoir' (good evening) is more appropriate.
Word Origin
From Old French 'bon' (good) + 'jour' (day), meaning 'good day'. The term dates back to the 13th century.
Usage Notes
Always used as a standalone greeting. Do not confuse with 'bonsoir' (good evening) or 'bonne nuit' (good night).
Word Breakdown
bon
good
rootjour
day
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais