Every conversation starts somewhere. In French, a simple greeting is more than just a formality—it's a sign of respect and the key to starting any interaction on the right foot. Whether you're ordering a coffee or meeting someone new, knowing how to say hello, thank you, and goodbye makes all the difference.

Let’s start with the most essential words you'll use every day.

The most common and versatile greeting is Bonjour. You can use it in almost any situation, formal or informal, to say hello during the day. It literally means "good day."

For a more casual greeting, especially with friends, family, or people your age, you can use Salut. It's the French equivalent of "hi." Interestingly, you can also use Salut to say "bye."

Once evening arrives, you should switch from Bonjour to Bonsoir.

When you're leaving for the night or going to bed, the phrase to use is Bonne nuit. Think of it just like saying "Good night" in English.

The standard way to say goodbye is Au revoir. It's appropriate for any situation, whether formal or casual.

Politeness is highly valued in French culture. Two words you'll use constantly are S'il vous plaît and Merci.

S'il vous plaît means "please." The phrase literally translates to "if it pleases you."

And to say "thank you," you simply use Merci.

After greeting someone, it's natural to ask how they are. The most common way to do this is with Comment ça va?. It can be both a question and a response.

Someone might ask you, "Comment ça va?" and you can reply, "Ça va bien, merci." (I'm doing well, thank you.)

When you're introduced to someone for the first time, a polite response is Enchanté or Enchantée. It means "delighted" or "nice to meet you."

Time to practice what you've learned.