FRENCH ASSIGNMENT

GREETING AND TAKING LEAVE

SUBMITTED BY :
MEHA AGARWAL
A7001922004
MBA
 Below are the most common ways in which an interaction with a French

INITIAL speaker is likely to begin. These will come in handy for travelers in French-
speaking countries or to encourage French speakers to use basic French
expressions with you. Have your montre (watch) handy, as these

GREETINGS expressions are time-sensitive (as in the time of day).

French English equivalent Literal translation Context Formality

Bonjour Hello Good day Mornings (until 12:00 p.m. noon) Neutral

Bon matin Good morning Only in Quebec Neutral

Bon après-midi Good afternoon Only in Quebec Neutral

Salut Hi Informal

Coucou Hey Cutesy greeting for close friends Very informal

Bonsoir Good evening/night Good evening After 5/6:00 PM Slightly formal

Rebonjour Hello again If you’ve already greeted someone and see them a bit later Neutral
(e.g., passing on the street)
 FORMALITY
GUIDE
• Formal speech is used when talking to adults, teachers,
people older than you, and someone you wish to show
respect. Example: Professors, in-laws, the CEO of your
company, the elderly.
• Slightly Formal speech :Used with those you don’t
know personally or you want to demonstrate respect for
(still vous) . Example: Shopkeepers, bank tellers, your
boss, family members you don’t see often.
• Informal speech is used when talking to friends
or someone your own age. Used when meeting
new peers; with friends/acquaintances,
classmates, colleagues (half vous, half tu).
• Very Informal speech : Used in social settings
such as bars or sports teams with those you
already know (to all the way).
NOTES ON FRENCH CULTURE
LA BISE (KISS)

• In Many French-speaking Countries, People Kiss Each Other On The Cheek Or

Shake Hands When They Meet. In Everyday Situations, Female Friends Kiss, While
Men And Mixed Couples Will Kiss Or Shake Hands Depending On Their Level Of
Acquaintance. This Action Is Expressed By The French Phrase ‘Faire La Bise’.
While The Number Of Kisses Exchanged Varies By Region, The Most Common
Practice Is Two Kisses, One On Each Cheek, Although It Is Not Uncommon To
Exchange Three Or Even Four. In An Informal Situation, Young Adults Will Most
Often ‘Faire La Bise’. Older Adults Or Men Would Normally Shake Hands.

• In A Formal Situation, It Is Necessary To Shake Hands With Everyone .

 DEPARTING/ LEAVING • Heading out? Use these expressions to signal your departure or
wish someone farewell. Note that the time-of-day expressions
change form (become feminine) when wishing someone farewell.

French English equivalent Literal translation Context Formality

Au revoir Goodbye Until we see each other Customary to say au revoir more often than in English, as in Neutral
again when leaving buses, small shops, etc.

Salut Bye Slightly informal

À plus See you later Until later When you know you’ll see someone later Neutral
(tard)
Bonne Have a nice day Good day Also appropriate to say when leaving public places like hair Neutral
journée salons
Bon après- Have a good afternoon Good afternoon After 12:00 PM Neutral
midi

Bonne Have a good evening Good evening After sunset (5/6:00 PM) Neutral
soirée
Bonne nuit Good night Good night Used to signal you’re leaving for the night or going to sleep Neutral
DEPARTING /LEAVING

• Au revoir” is the most common way to say “goodbye” in

French, and it’s acceptable for both formal and informal
situations. “Salut” means “bye” in French. These are
common greeting word you may come across when you are
seeking how to learn French, There are more ways to say
goodbye, such as using the phrase ”À plus tard” to tell
someone that you will see them later or saying ”bonne
journée” to wish them a good day. 
FRENCH GREETING
MISTAKES TO AVOID
Most people know about good manners in their culture, but it is less common to
know good manners in another culture or country. Besides the French greetings
words that you learned so far, I’m going to give you some useful tips on other
French greeting rules.Here are some French greeting mistakes to avoid when:
• When you are in a village in France: Be sure to say Bonjour to people you
meet whenever you are in a small town or a village. People that cross your way
in a village in France would expect a Bonjour. Don’t be rude, even if you don’t
know them personally be nice and say Bonjour.
• When you are in a French city: People in the city are different and busy, and
no one expects to be greeted in the street or in the metro. Avoid troubles and act
like everyone else in a city in France, otherwise, people will raise eyebrows and
wonder what you want. It is clear that it is not enough to learn French greeting
words, you should also take into consideration the context and the location.
• When you meet someone for the first time: Salut is a French
greeting to be used between friends and other close relations.
Respecting this greeting rule is important for French people. Next
time you meet someone for the first time, avoid using saying salut,
instead, say Bonjour. Don’t forget that with the time you might
become good friends and you’ll only be greeting each other with
salut.
• When you enter a shop: Don’t add “ça va” or “comment ça va?”
after saying Bonjour. Just say bonjour and you’ll sound like a true
French. Unlike other cultures, people in France don’t ask
“comment ça va” or the short version “ça va” to shop
owners/employees.