Difference Between Bonjour and Salut?

One of the most common questions beginners ask is: What’s the difference between “Bonjour” and “Salut”? Both are used to greet people, but they have different levels of formality and contexts.

1. Bonjour – “Good Day”

Bonjour is the formal way to say “hello” in French. It’s used in professional settings, when meeting someone for the first time, or when addressing someone older than you. It literally means “good day” (bon = good, jour = day) and can be used until the evening.

  • Example: When you enter a shop or meet a colleague, you would say:
    Bonjour, Madame (Hello, ma’am).

2. Salut – “Hi”

Salut is an informal way to say “hi” or “bye.” It’s mostly used with friends, family, or people your age. While it’s friendly, it’s best to avoid using salut in professional or formal situations.

  • Example: When greeting a friend, you can simply say:
    Salut, Pierre! (Hi, Pierre!)

When to Use Each:

  • Formal setting: Use Bonjour.
  • Casual setting: Use Salut.

Quick Tip: After 6 p.m., you can switch to Bonsoir (good evening) for a more time-appropriate greeting.

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