Dialogue
Bonjour, salut or coucou: practise French greetings
Practise three French greetings in short conversations: bonjour at reception, salut with a friend and coucou in a warm message, with English cues.
- A1
- 6 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the A1 notebook →
In short
Use bonjour for an everyday daytime hello, especially when meeting someone new. Salut is an informal hi or bye; coucou is a warm, familiar hi. Practise each opening below, then hide your lines and answer from the English cues.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
| Greeting | Useful setting | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour ! | A shop, reception desk or first meeting | Hello |
| Salut ! | A relaxed exchange with a friend | Hi / bye |
| Coucou ! | A cheerful message to someone close | Hi there |
1 · Say hello at reception
You arrive for your first French class. The receptionist is someone you have just met. Start with bonjour, give your name and use vous.
- Reception
Bonjour ! Vous vous appelez comment ?
English
Hello! What is your name?
- You
Bonjour, je m’appelle Nora Martin.
Say hello and give your name: Nora Martin.
English
Hello, my name is Nora Martin.
- Reception
Bienvenue ! Vous êtes ici pour le cours de français ?
English
Welcome! Are you here for the French class?
- You
Oui, merci. Le cours est dans quelle salle ?
Say yes, thank them and ask which room the class is in.
English
Yes, thank you. Which room is the class in?
- Reception
Dans la salle deux.
English
In room two.
- You
Merci beaucoup. Au revoir !
Thank them warmly and say goodbye.
English
Thank you very much. Goodbye!
2 · Greet a friend, then say goodbye
- Samir
Salut Nora ! Ça va ?
Hi Nora! How are you?
- You
Salut ! Ça va bien, et toi ?
Hi! I’m well, and you?
- Samir
Très bien. Tu viens au café ?
Very well. Are you coming to the café?
- You
Pas maintenant. À tout à l’heure !
Not now. See you later!
- Samir
D’accord, salut !
OK, bye!
The first salut opens the conversation; the last closes it. Follow the exchange to choose “hi” or “bye” in English. With a friend, Bonjour Samir, ça va ? also works: bonjour can go with tu.
3 · Send a warm message
- You
Coucou Inès ! Je suis devant la bibliothèque.
Hi there, Inès! I’m outside the library.
- Inès
Coucou ! J’arrive dans deux minutes.
Hi! I’ll be there in two minutes.
- You
Super, je t’attends ici !
Great, I’ll wait for you here!
Bonsoir, j’ai une réservation.
Good evening, I have a reservation.
For an evening arrival, use bonsoir. For a daytime arrival, use bonjour.