French word

bonsoir

Pronunciation

IPA/bɔ̃swaʁ/

Meaning

  • interjectiongood evening

Example

Bonsoir, comment ça va ?

Good evening, how are you?

Illustration for bonsoir (good evening)

More examples

Bonsoir tout le monde, bienvenue.

Good evening, everyone, and welcome.

Core concept

A brief evening greeting that fits both someone's arrival and a parting after daylight fades.

Common phrases

  • bonsoir tout le monde

    good evening, everyone

  • bonsoir à tous

    good evening, everyone

  • bonsoir madame

    good evening, ma'am

Similar words

salut: A casual greeting for friends and other familiar people.
bonjour: A greeting used from morning through the daytime.
bonne soirée: A farewell wishing someone a pleasant evening.
au revoir: A farewell greeting used when parting.

Definition in French

S'emploie le soir, aussi bien pour accueillir quelqu'un que pour prendre congé.

Word origin

Bonsoir combines bon, from Latin bonus, with soir, which developed through Old French from Latin serus, meaning late.

Usage tips

  • Bonsoir works as both an evening welcome and an evening farewell, whereas English good evening usually introduces a conversation.

Opposites

Word lists with this word