bonjour
To say good morning in French, say bonjour. There's no everyday French word for 'good morning' only: bonjour covers the whole day until early evening, then you switch to bonsoir. It's also the polite password to every shop, office and bus. Skip it and you'll seem rude, however nicely you smile.
Where you'll hear it
Nathan
Salut ! Je suis prems pour l'entretien, non ?
Hi! I'm first for the interview, aren't I?
Intervieweur
Bonjour. Veuillez garder une attitude professionnelle. Asseyez-vous s'il vous plaît.
Hello. Please keep a professional attitude. Please take a seat.
Nathan
Ah, désolé, je pensais... Enfin, bref, c'est comme ça. [silence gênant]
Ah, sorry, I thought... Anyway, it's like that (I guess). [awkward silence]
Intervieweur
Parlez-moi de vous.
Tell me about yourself.
Listen: bonjour
How it shows up
Bonjour madame, une baguette s'il vous plaît.
Good morning, a baguette please.
Bonjour à tous, on commence la réunion ?
Morning everyone, shall we start the meeting?
Bonjour ! Bien dormi ?
Morning! Sleep well?
Questions people ask
Is there a French word for good morning?
Bonjour is it. Bon matin exists in Quebec, but in France it sounds odd. At home, people often swap bonjour for a quick coucou.
When can you say salut instead of bonjour?
Salut is for friends, family and people your age in casual settings. With strangers, shopkeepers, or anyone at a job interview, start with bonjour. The dialogue above shows what happens when you don't.