6 easy ways to say good evening in French

Greetings are the foundation of learning any new language, particularly French. French is a romantic language that emphasizes elegance, sweetness, and politeness. Knowing how to say “Good Morning” in French is not enough. You need to practice other greeting gestures such as “good evening” in French and others.

We understand that Bonjour is a common French greeting that can be used at any time. If you want to be more specific, there are other words you can use to greet. This article will teach you six simple ways to say “good evening” in French.  You will impress everyone around you, whether it is a formal meeting, an informal gathering, or even a stranger.

“Bonsoir” is the most common phrase used by native French speakers to wish someone a pleasant evening.  This word is very similar to the phrase Bonjour. It conveys the specific meaning of wishing someone a lovely evening ahead. So, if you ever find yourself wondering what good evening means in French, simply say Bonsoir.

It is common to be fascinated by the traditions, cultures, and languages of other people or countries. Learning something different from your native tongue allows you to grow in any situation. Learning a new language as a hobby and an opportunity is common among Americans. You will come across someone who is learning a new language for their studies, career, travel, or simply for fun.

Different ways to say good Evening in French

1. Bonsoir

Bonsoir is a common way to wish someone a good evening in French. It’s more of a catchphrase that you can use even when speaking English. The word bonsoir is made up of two words: “bon,” which means “good,” and “soir,” which means “evening.”

This word or phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts. “Bonsoir” can be used when meeting someone or entering a familiar setting, such as someone’s home, restaurant, or office. Remember that you can only use this word at the beginning of a sentence.

 For example:

French	English
Bonsoir à tous	Good evening everyone
Bonsoir, est-ce que vous avez reserve une table?	Good evening, have you reserved a table?

2. Bonne Soirée

The French enjoy playing with people. The evening is one thing in French, and wishing someone a good evening is quite another. When referring to a specific time of day, you will use the phrase “Soir.” It’s a more masculine version.

However, when you want to know or inquire about what someone is doing or will do that evening, you will use the word “Soirée.” It is the feminine form. When saying good evening, combine the feminine versions of both words to form Bonne Soirée.

In simpler terms, when you don’t know what the other person’s plans are for the evening, you should greet them with Bonne Soirée. The best part is that this greeting phrase can be used in both formal and informal situations.

For example:

French	English
Bonne soirée, on se voit demain!	Have a good evening, I’ll see you tomorrow!
Passez une bonne soirée.	Have a good evening

You need to learn the basic French words to expand your vocabulary. Learning different words and expressions is necessary if you want to become fluent in French. Make notes for yourself carrying new French words and expressions and try using them in your conversations.

3. Je Vous Souhaite Une Bonne Soirée

If you are in a formal setting or do not know the person in front of you, you can greet them with “Je vous souhaite une bonne soirée.” Je vous souhaite une bonne soirée is French for “I wish you a good evening” or “I bid you a good evening.”

This phrase can be used to start a conversation or to respond to others in formal settings. It can be used with people you know but aren’t close to.

For example:

French	English
Je vous souhaite une bonne soirée	I wish you a good evening

Learning the right greeting is essential to avoid embarrassing moments. You also need to know formal and informal ways of saying good night in French. You just cannot use the same greeting with a boss and your family member.

4. Excellente Soirée

“Excellente Soirée” is a less common phrase to wish someone a good evening that is sure to catch people’s attention. Excellente Soirée is a shortened version of the phrase “Je vous souhaite une excellente soirée,” which means “I wish you an excellent or wonderful evening.”

The phrase “Excellente Soirée” is not commonly used. It is rarely used in both formal and informal speech.

For Example:

French	English
Excellente soirée	Great/Good Evening
Excellente soirée Rachel	Great Evening Rachel

5. Mesdames, Messieurs Bonsoir

When you have to address a large group of people, you can greet them all at once by saying, “Mesdames, messieurs bonsoir.” Mesdames, Messieurs Bonsoir means “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen”.

This phrase is frequently heard from French news anchors, who use it to begin their newscasts. Please keep in mind that you can only use this term when addressing a large crowd, such as at a hosting event, party, auction, or other similar event.

For example:

French	English
Mesdames, messieurs bonsoir	Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen

6. Bonne Nuit

Most French learners require clarification on various phrases such as “good evening” and “good night.” We have specific phrases in English that cover the generals. When it comes to French, however, there are some terms that can only be used in certain situations.

Bonne Nuit is one such expression. Here. “Bonne” is French for “Good,” and “Nuit” is French for “Night.” Although it is used to express the gesture of a good evening, it does not actually mean a good evening and is not the same as Bonne Soirée.

“Bonne Soirée” is used when you don’t know what the other person’s plans are for the rest of the evening. “Bonne Nuit” is only used when you are certain the other person will turn in for the night. In simple terms, they’re going to bed. As a result, never use “Bonne Nuit” as a synonym for “Bonne Soirée.”

For Example:

French	English
Bonne nuit, dormez bien	Good night, sleep well
Bonne nuit, faites de beaux rêves	Good night, sweet dreams

Learn French with italki

Now that you know different ways to say good evening in French, you must be wondering how to develop correct French pronunciation. We have a solution for you. If you want to learn French online, get enrolled with italki.

Here, you will get the best online French tutors with years of experience and a high degree of professionalism. You can select the tutor of your choice by visiting the website. French tutor will make you learn French vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, French greetings, and expressions at a gradual pace. Book your lessons today and start learning!

How to book French lessons on italki?

Booking French lessons on italki is a straightforward process that allows you to connect with experienced language teachers. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Create an Account: If you don’t have an italki account, start by creating one. You can sign up using your email address or log in through your social media accounts.

Search for French Teachers: Once logged in, navigate to the “Find a teacher” section or use the search bar to find French language teachers. You can filter results based on your preferences, such as location, price, availability, and teaching style.

Explore Teacher Profiles: Click on a teacher’s profile to learn more about their background, teaching experience, teaching style, and student reviews. This will help you find a teacher who suits your learning needs.

Check Availability: On the teacher’s profile, you’ll find their availability for lessons. Choose a time that works for you and matches the teacher’s schedule.

Select Lesson Type: Teachers typically offer different types of lessons, such as trial lessons, regular lessons, and packages. Choose the type that fits your preferences.

Book a Lesson: Click on the desired lesson type (e.g., trial lesson) and choose the duration of the lesson. You’ll be prompted to confirm the booking and proceed to payment.

Make Payment: Enter your payment details and confirm the booking. italki supports various payment methods, including credit/debit cards and PayPal.

Join the Lesson: Before the lesson’s scheduled time, ensure you have the necessary tools (webcam, microphone) and a stable internet connection. At the appointed time, access your italki account and go to the “My Lessons” section. There, you’ll find a link to start the lesson using the virtual classroom provided by italki.

Enjoy the Lesson: During the lesson, engage with your teacher, ask questions, practice speaking, and learn! Teachers often customize lessons to your level and goals.

Feedback and Next Steps: After the lesson, you’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback and a rating for your tutor. This helps other learners make informed decisions when selecting tutors. If you’re satisfied with the lesson, you can continue booking sessions with the same tutor to further enhance your French skills.

Conclusion

Meeting and greeting are natural parts of our lives. To appear confident, stylish, and knowledgeable, you should be well-versed in wishing people and responding to them. Learning a new language is only useful if you understand the fundamentals. Hope you have already mastered how to say good evening in French.

We hope you learned something useful and will apply it in your daily life to improve your ability to greet people in French. We also recommend you learn days of the week in French as these words play a significant role in daily conversations.