馃嚝馃嚪 French phrases

How to Say "Good evening" in French

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Bonsoir
"Good evening" in French 路 say it like bohn-swahr

The most natural way to say "Good evening" in French is Bonsoir. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Salut
Used informally among friends or peers
Bonsoir茅e
A more poetic or affectionate way to say good evening

When to use it

You can use 'bonsoir' when greeting someone in the evening, typically after 5 or 6 PM. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. It's a polite way to start a conversation or when entering a gathering.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Good evening" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in French

FrenchEnglish
Bonsoir, comment 莽a va ?Good evening, how are you?
Je vous souhaite une bonne soir茅e.I wish you a good evening.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'bonsoir' with 'bonjour', using the former during the day.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Bonsoir, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking French with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start using 'bonsoir' instead of 'bonjour'?

You should start using 'bonsoir' in the early evening, typically after 5 or 6 PM.

Learn French by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.