Everyday Greetings and Phrases for Punjabi Speakers

Getting Started — Why Greetings Matter

Speaking French starts with greetings and polite phrases. If you can greet people correctly from the start, people will respect you. Just as greetings are very important in Punjabi society, they’re equally important in French culture.

Note: Before this lesson, read French Alphabet & Sounds to get better pronunciation practice.

Basic Greetings

Bonjour / Bonsoir (Hello / Good evening)

Examples:

• “Bonjour, Monsieur!” = Hello, Sir!
• “Bonsoir, madame.” = Good evening, madam.

Salut (Hi) — Informal Way

Salut is a short and casual way to greet — used with friends and acquaintances.

• “Salut, ça va?” = Hey, how’s it going?

Questions and Responses

“Comment allez-vous?” (How are you? — formal)

This is formal and respectful. Use it with strangers, elders, and professional contacts.

Examples:

• “Comment allez-vous?” = “Très bien, merci et vous?” (Very well, thank you, and you?)
• “Ça va?” = “Oui, ça va bien!” (Yes, I’m doing well!)

“Tu t’appelles comment?” (What’s your name? — informal)

Use this with friends.

Examples:

• “Tu t’appelles comment?” = “Je m’appelle Sarah.” (I’m called Sarah.)
• “Tu t’appelles comment?” = “Moi, c’est Jean.” (I’m Jean.)

Introducing Yourself

Formal introduction (Vous)

“Bonjour, je m’appelle [your name]. Enchanté(e)!”

Example:

• “Bonjour, je m’appelle Priya. Enchanté(e)!” = Hello, I’m Priya. Pleased to meet you!

Informal introduction (Tu)

“Salut! Je m’appelle [name]. Ça va?”

Example:

• “Salut! Je m’appelle Harjeet. Ça va?” = Hi! I’m Harjeet. How are you?

Polite Phrases — Politeness

Combined examples:

• “S’il vous plaît, du café.” = Please, some coffee.
• “Merci beaucoup!” = Thank you very much!
• “Pardon, où est la gare?” = Sorry, where is the train station?

Group Practice

Try to use these group dialogues in conversation:

Scenario 1: Meeting someone on the street in the morning

• A: “Bonjour, comment allez-vous?”
• B: “Ça va bien, merci. Et vous?”
• A: “Très bien aussi. À bientôt!” (Me too. See you later!)

Scenario 2: At a café

• A: “Bonjour, madame.”
• B: “Bonjour, monsieur. Ça va?”
• A: “Oui, ça va. Un café, s’il vous plaît.”
• B: “Voilà. C’est 2 euros.”
• A: “Merci beaucoup.”
• B: “De rien. Au revoir!”

Don’t Mix Up — Tu vs Vous

The most common mistake is using Tu instead of Vous or vice versa.

• Tu = you (informal, at home, with friends, with people your age)
• Vous = you (formal, with strangers, elders, with authority figures)

Just like in English we distinguish between formal and casual speech, so does French. Use Vous when in doubt.

Next Steps

Once you’ve mastered these greetings, the next lesson will cover present tense verbs, so you can not only greet people but actually have conversations!