“Bonjour” Without the Burnout

Parlez-vous français? Non? No worries — you’re in the right place.

At Languages for Lazy, we believe learning a language shouldn’t feel like preparing for war. Especially not with French — the language of love, cheese, and dramatic sighs. If you’ve ever cracked open a French textbook, only to shut it immediately after reading “Je m’appelle Bernard”, this one’s for you.

Today, let’s tackle the basics of French greetings — the lazy way.

1. Bonjour – The All-Day MVP

This is the king of greetings. Bonjour means “good day,” and you can use it from morning until around 6 PM without fear of offending a single soul. It’s like “hello,” but with a fresh baguette in hand.

Lazy Tip:
Use Bonjour in almost any formal or casual setting. No need to memorize time slots or conjugation rules. Just say it and nod confidently.

Example:

• Bonjour, ça va? → Hello, how are you?

2. Salut – The Chill Cousin

Salut is your friendly, casual “hi.” Think of it like the hoodie of greetings — comfortable, relaxed, and no ironing needed.

When to use:

• With friends, classmates, people under 60 who don’t look like they work in a museum.

Bonus: Salut also means “bye.” Two-for-one, baby. Efficiency!

Examples:

• Salut, Marc!
• Bon, je dois y aller. Salut!

3. Coucou – The Cuteness Overload

This one’s for the inner softie. Coucou is like a warm “hey there” you whisper to your cat or text your crush (who may or may not ghost you — c’est la vie).

Best used:

• In messages
• With kids, pets, or very close friends

Warning: Do not say Coucou to your boss unless you enjoy chaos.

4. Bonsoir – The After-Hours Switch

Once the sun dips and people start uncorking bottles of red, Bonsoir takes over.

It’s the evening version of Bonjour, and it still makes you sound like a cultured Netflix character.

Use it after 6 PM. Or when the vibe gets dark and mysterious.

Example:

• Bonsoir, madame. Quelle belle soirée.

5. Bonne nuit – For Bedtime Vibes Only

Do not confuse this with Bonsoir unless you want someone to fall asleep mid-convo.

Bonne nuit means “good night” — but only when someone’s going to bed.

Lazy Learner Rule:
🛏️ = Bonne nuit
🍷 = Bonsoir

But Wait, What’s “How Are You?”

Because you’re here, you deserve a tiny bonus.

• Ça va? → “How’s it going?” / “You good?”
• Ça va bien. → “I’m good.”
• Et toi? → “And you?” (casual)
• Et vous? → “And you?” (formal)

This little loop can carry you through small talk like a champ. Just smile, nod, and repeat ça va until someone changes the subject.

TL;DR for Lazy Legends:

Final Word from the Lazy Throne 👑

French doesn’t have to be a full-time job. Start with these greetings, use them often, and don’t stress about the grammar police. Confidence is your best accessory — next to a croissant, of course.

So go ahead, toss out a Bonjour, smile like you meant it, and enjoy learning without the burnout.

À bientôt,
Your favorite Lazy Guru