In French, saying hello is really important if you want to be polite. There are different ways to greet people, and the greeting you choose depends on the time of day and how well you know the person. Here are some important greetings to remember:

Bonjour

• Meaning: "Good morning" or "Hello."
• When to Use: You use this from morning until late afternoon (about 6 PM). It's a nice and friendly way to greet anyone, whether you know them or not.
• Example in a Conversation:
  • Person A: "Bonjour, comment ça va?" (Hello, how are you?)

Bonsoir

• Meaning: "Good evening."
• When to Use: This is said in the evening (after 6 PM). It shows respect and is usually used in more formal situations.
• Example in a Conversation:
  • Person A: "Bonsoir, vous êtes en retard." (Good evening, you are late.)

Salut

• Meaning: "Hi."
• When to Use: This is a casual greeting. You use it with friends, family, or people your age. You can say it any time of day.
• Example in a Conversation:
  • Person A: "Salut, ça va?" (Hi, how's it going?)

Summary of Usage

• Bonjour: Use this for polite greetings during the day.
• Bonsoir: Use this for polite greetings in the evening.
• Salut: Use this for casual greetings with friends.

Knowing these greetings will help you talk to people in different situations. You can also use extra phrases like s'il vous plaît (please), merci (thank you), and excusez-moi (excuse me) to sound even more polite when speaking French.