How do you say Good evening in French?
The most common way to say “good evening” in French is Bonsoir. Here are the main options, when to use each, and how to pronounce them.
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Bonsoir
bohn-SWAHR
Said on ARRIVING, from about 6 p.m.
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Bonne soirée
bun swah-RAY
Said on LEAVING: “have a good evening”.
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Bonne nuit
bun NWEE
Good night — only to someone going to bed.
Use it in a sentence
- Good evening, madam.Bonsoir, madame.
- Good evening, a table for two, please.Bonsoir, une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît.
- Have a good evening!Bonne soirée !
- Good night, sleep well.Bonne nuit, dors bien.
Good to know
The arriving/leaving split is the thing to get right, and it mirrors the daytime pair: bonjour on arrival, bonne journée on the way out.
Bonne nuit is not a goodbye at the end of an evening out — that is bonne soirée.