How to Say Hi in French
Learn how to say hi in French. 'Salut' (sah-LOO) is the casual hi, while 'Bonjour' stays polite. Pronunciation, formal vs informal, and friendly variations.
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Quick answer
To say hi in French, say 'Salut' (sah-LOO) — the casual greeting used with friends, family and peers. It works for both 'hi' and 'bye.' In any polite, formal or first-meeting situation, use 'Bonjour' (bohn-ZHOOR) instead, which is always safe.
Salut
/sah-LOO/ — French
How to Say Hi in French
A casual “hi” in French is Salut — the relaxed greeting you trade with friends. But French draws a sharp line between casual and polite, so knowing when to use Salut versus Bonjour matters as much as the word itself.
The Casual Greeting: Salut
Salut — pronounced sah-LOO
This is the everyday informal “hi” between friends, classmates, colleagues you know well, and family. It is light, friendly and quick. One handy bonus: Salut also works as an informal “bye,” so it bookends a casual conversation.
Copy the Phrase
The informal French word for hi is Salut (sah-LOO).
Pronunciation Notes
| Part | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sa | sah | Soft, short ‘a’ as in “father” |
| lut | LOO | The final ‘t’ is completely silent |
The single most common mistake is pronouncing the final -t. Don’t — Salut ends on an open “oo” sound: sah-LOO.
All the Ways to Say Hi in French
| French | Pronunciation | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Salut | sah-LOO | Informal hi (friends) — also “bye” |
| Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR | Polite, universal — anyone, anytime in daytime |
| Coucou | koo-KOO | Cute, affectionate “hey!” (close friends, family) |
| Ça va? | sah VAH | ”How’s it going?” — used as a greeting |
| Quoi de neuf? | kwah duh NUHF | ”What’s new?” (casual) |
| Bonsoir | bohn-SWAHR | Polite “hi” in the evening (~6pm+) |
Formal vs. Informal: Salut vs. Bonjour
This distinction is central to French etiquette:
- Salut — informal. Reserve it for friends, family and peers. With a stranger, a shopkeeper, an elder or in a professional setting it can feel overly familiar.
- Bonjour — polite and universal. It literally means “good day” and is expected when entering a shop, addressing someone you don’t know, or starting any formal interaction.
When in doubt, default to Bonjour. You can always warm up to Salut once a friendship is established.
Coucou and Other Friendly Variations
Coucou (koo-KOO) is a sweet, very casual “hey there!” — think of the sound a cuckoo clock makes. The French use it among close friends, with children, and in affectionate texts or messages. It is warmer and more playful than Salut, but never use it in a formal context.
Other friendly openers that function like “hi”:
- Ça va? — literally “is it going?”, used as both a greeting and a question.
- Coucou, ça va? — a soft, affectionate opener.
- Salut, ça va? — the standard friendly all-purpose hello.
Cultural Notes
The French greeting carries social weight. Among friends, Salut is usually paired with la bise — the cheek kisses (one to four depending on the region). With acquaintances or in business, you greet with Bonjour and a handshake. Launching into conversation without any greeting at all is considered abrupt, so always open with Salut or Bonjour before anything else. Master both registers and you’ll sound natural in any French setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hi in French?
The casual word for hi in French is 'Salut' (sah-LOO), used among friends, family and people your own age. For anyone you don't know or in a polite setting, use 'Bonjour' (bohn-ZHOOR) instead. 'Salut' doubles as an informal 'bye' too.
How do you pronounce Salut?
'Salut' is pronounced sah-LOO. The final 't' is silent — never pronounce it. 'Sa' = sah, and 'lut' = LOO with the stress falling on the last syllable. It is a quick, light two-syllable word: sah-LOO.
What is the difference between Salut and Bonjour?
'Salut' is informal and only appropriate with friends, family and peers; using it with a stranger, an elder or in a shop can seem too familiar. 'Bonjour' (bohn-ZHOOR) is polite and universal — safe with everyone. When unsure, choose 'Bonjour.'
What does Salut literally mean?
'Salut' comes from the Latin 'salus,' meaning health, safety or salvation — historically a wish of good health, like the English 'salute.' Today it has lost that weight and simply functions as a casual 'hi' or 'bye' between people who know each other.
How do you say hi to friends in French?
Friendly options include 'Salut!' (hi), 'Coucou!' (a cute, affectionate 'hey there!' used among close friends and family), 'Ça va?' (how's it going? — also a greeting) and 'Quoi de neuf?' (what's new?). 'Salut, ça va?' is a perfect all-purpose opener.