SALUTATIONS - GREETINGS

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“Ça va?” [sa va]

“How’s it going?”

Ça va is easily the most commonly uttered phrase in the French language; and just what is its secret appeal? Why, it’s both a question and its reciprocal answer.

If you want to know how someone’s doing: Ça va?

If you want to tell them right back that you’re fine, too: Ça va.

There are many ways of saying, “Hello, how are you?” in French (just think of all the ways we say it in English), but this is by far the simplest.

Ça va is a phrase you’ll soon learn to pick out of conversations all around you, but it’s important to know how to greet a French person in all kinds of settings.

Owners of small shops, tellers at checkouts, bus drivers—nearly any professional you run into throughout your stay—will say “Hello” when you arrive and “Good bye” when you leave.

Rather than appearing a mute, familiarize yourself with these phrases,and be the first to say, “Good morning.”

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Salutations

Greetings

Bonjour

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Hello/Good morning

Bonsoir

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Good afternoon/evening*

Bonne nuit

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Good night

Salut

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Hi/Bye

Au revoir

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Good-bye

Bonne journée

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Have a good day.

Bonne soirée

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Have a good evening.

*Bonsoir is used anytime after 4pm, but some people begin saying it at noon. Just follow the lead of the native speaker.

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Questions

Questions

(Comment) ça  va?

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How’s it going?

Comment allez-vous?

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