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)
| Word | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bonjour | Good morning/day | ~6 AM to ~sunset |
| Bonsoir | Good evening | After sunset |
| Bonne nuit | Good night | Before going to sleep |
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.
| Question | Meaning | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Comment allez-vous? | How are you (formal)? | Ça va bien, merci. Et vous? |
| Ça va? | How are you? (informal) | Ça va! / Ça va bien! |
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
| French | English Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| S’il vous plaît | Please (formal) | When asking for something formally |
| S’il te plaît | Please (informal) | With friends |
| Merci | Thank you | Always |
| De rien | You’re welcome | In response to thanks |
| Pardon / Excusez-moi | Sorry / Excuse me | When apologizing |
| Au revoir | Goodbye | Formal departure |
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!