馃嚝馃嚪 French phrases

How to Say "Hi" in French

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Salut
"Hi" in French 路 say it like sah-loo

The most natural way to say "Hi" in French is Salut. 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

Bonjour
used in more formal situations or during the day
Coucou
used among close friends or family

When to use it

You can use 'Salut' when greeting friends or people you know well. It is informal and friendly. It is appropriate in casual settings, such as when meeting someone at a caf茅 or during a social event.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in French

FrenchEnglish
Salut, comment 莽a va ?Hi, how are you?
Salut les amis !Hi friends!
Common mistake
Learners often use 'Bonjour' in very casual situations, which can feel overly formal.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Salut, 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

Is 'Salut' appropriate for all situations?

'Salut' is informal and should be used with friends or peers, not in formal contexts.

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