Does salut mean hello or hi?
“Salut” is a common way to say hello in French, but it is used only in informal situations. Depending on the context, it can mean “hi,” “hello,” or “bye,” so you can use it almost whenever you want, except for formal situations.
“Salut” is an informal greeting in French, and is the equivalent of saying “hi” or “hey” in English. This is a greeting that you will want to use with your peers, those younger than you, and people that you know. When responding, you can use any other greeting in French, including repeating “salut” back.
The casual one: Salut!
About: Kind of functionally a French ciao or aloha, salut is a general greeting that can be used for both hello and goodbye. It's a word with many meanings (including salute, salvation, and cheers), and is generally informal but not rude or slangy.
The most important French greetings include bonjour (hello), enchanté(e) (nice to meet you), bonsoir (good evening/hello), salut (hi), coucou (hey), Ça fait longtemps, dis donc (long time no see), Âllo (hello), Ça va? (how are you?), tu vas bien? (have you been well?), quoi de neuf? (what's up?), au revoir!
It is an informal way of greeting someone or bidding them farewell. If someone introduces you to a new person, and it is an informal setting, with people your age, you say "salut". And then when each party goes in a different direction, you can say "salut" again.
The informal French greeting “Salut!” (pronounced sah-lu) has several meanings including hi, hello, bye, goodbye and cheers. The French strictly use salut with acquaintances and not strangers.
The word “salut” is a French word that means “hello,” “hi,” or “greeting.” It is a common informal greeting used in everyday conversation in the French-speaking world.
Salut: “Hi” in French
Salut is not a way that you would greet strangers either, while it is used in informal settings, it is mainly said to people you know. This can include any acquaintances, though, not just friends and family.
Salut is a casual French expression. There are pretty strict rules about when to use salut. This is an informal greeting and because it's considered so casual, salut should only be used as a greeting between close friends.
Salut (pronounced with a silent t) is commonly used in France, although it is extremely informal: It's the equivalent of saying "hey" in English. Avoid using salut with people you don't know unless you are a teenager. If you are in doubt, stick with bonjour, which—as noted—is always an acceptable form of greeting.
Is salut formal or informal?
The most common greeting in French is the very useful “bonjour”, and “bonsoir”. The first can be used throughout the day, and the second in the evening. “Salut” is also widely used in a more informal setting. These are the most basic greetings that will commonly be learned in lessons for French for kids.

Adults say "tu" to children and kiss them on the cheek, even if they have just met for the first time. To greet people, you say "Bonjour". Among young people and students, "Salut" is used more frequently.
Salut is your go-to for saying “hello” to friends or casual acquaintances. Remember that salut is only used in informal settings. Even though it's spelled similarly to the English word “salute,” be sure to leave off the “t” sound at the end to sound like a local!
Salute is another really common way to 'cheers' in Italy. It literally means 'health' as in 'here's to good health. ' This way to 'cheers' is used in many different languages, including French (santé), Spanish (salud) and Portuguese (saúde).
The word “salut” is a French word that means “hello,” “hi,” or “greeting.” It is a common informal greeting used in everyday conversation in the French-speaking world.
“Salut” is a common way to say hello in French, but it is used only in informal situations. Depending on the context, it can mean “hi,” “hello,” or “bye,” so you can use it almost whenever you want, except for formal situations.
On this page you'll find 63 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to salute, such as: acknowledge, bow, congratulate, hail, recognize, and welcome.
If you've traveled to any Spanish-speaking countries, you're probably familiar with the word “¡Salud!” It is the most common way to say cheers in Mexico, as well as most Latin American countries.
Cheers in Spanish: Salud
You see, “Salud” literally translates to “health” so it's used to wish others good health and prosperity—which means you're just as likely to hear someone say it after you sneeze as you would to ring in the New Year.
Why do Mexicans say salut?
Salud means “health” so you are essentially drinking to everyone's health. This meaning is common in many countries and Mexico is no different when it comes to tradition and culture. The drinking age in Mexico is 18 so you may see some younger crowds down there toasting to one another all throughout the day.
You can either reply saying " Bonjour " back or you could say "salut" which also means hello but in an informal way. See Answer. It's a bit formal but still convey a nice feeling .
Meaning “hi”, “hello” or sometimes even “bye”, Salut is the informal French greeting you can use with family and friends but not with your boss or teacher.
Salut: An informal way to say Bonjour
Salut can also be used to say hello in French to your friend as well as to say Bye Bye. It works both ways and at any time of the day.
The common verbal greeting is “Ciao” (Hello). This is quite casual. People may also say “Buongiorno” (Good day) or “Buonasera” (Good evening) to be more formal.
verb (used with object),sa·lut·ed, sa·lut·ing. Military. to pay respect to or honor by some formal act, as by raising the right hand to the side of the headgear, presenting arms, firing cannon, dipping colors, etc. to address with expressions of goodwill, respect, etc.; greet.
- Hello.
- Nice to meet you.
- How are you?
- It's a pleasure to meet you.
- Pleased to meet you.
- Good morning.
- Good afternoon.
- Good evening.
It's really simple. By not saying hello to people, you come off as rude, cold, and people are unlikely to want to speak to you in the future. You could be the nicest person in the world, but turning away from someone passing you is considered rude in our Western culture.
Formal Greetings
If you're not acquainted with the recipient, use Bonjour monsieur / madame,, meaning 'Hello Sir / Ma'am'. When writing to your boss, you should use the formal 'you', which is vous in French.
salut | hi |
---|---|
bonjour | good day (greeting) |
bonsoir | good evening/night (greeting) |
bonne journée | good day (farewell) |
bonne soirée | good evening/night (farewell) |
How do you respond to Bonsoir?
Answer and Explanation: When someone says 'bonsoir' (pronounced: bohn-SWAHR), you can simply reply 'bonsoir' as well.
Respect is shown in verbal greetings by referring to the person as 'Madam' ('Ms') or 'Monsieur' ('Mr'). Though previously the title 'Madam' referred to a married woman and 'Mademoiselle' referred to an unwed woman, this practice is no longer commonplace.
2 – C'est la vie
This is of course a very well-known French expression. It literally means “that's life”. The funny thing is it's probably used more in English than in France itself, where they may say “c'est comme ça” – “it's the way things are”- more often than “c'est la vie”.
Polite formality also means using Bonjour, Merci, S'il vous plaît, and Au revoir whenever necessary, even with strangers. Address people as “Monsieur” or “Madame,” say “Thank you” and “You're welcome” – and smile when doing it.
French people often do 'la bise' to greet each other - but the pandemic has endangered this national habit. Hugging, shaking hands, kissing… Greeting someone can take many forms depending on the context and culture.
You start by leaning in and placing right cheek to right cheek, before moving to the left side—and back and forth thereafter if additional pecks are required. The primary exception is Italy, which starts il bacio on the left. While some cultures really do apply lips to cheek, you're better off refraining.
Salut is a versatile expression in French. You can use it to say either “hello” or “bye” in French. It's a very casual way to say “bye” in French, so be sure you don't use it in formal situations!
Chin Chin seems to derive from an ancient Cantonese greeting (qǐng qǐng – 请请). This expression became popular among European merchants, who transcribed it as chin chin. The Italians liked it a lot because it reminded them of the sound of clinking glasses, and they adopted it as a toast.
"Chin chin" is the Italian way to say "Cheers!".
Just as in English, there are several ways to say hello in French. You can simply use the informal salut (hi) on its own. You can also use bonjour (good morning or good afternoon) or bonsoir (good evening).
What is considered rude in France?
Staring at a person is considered very rude. Speaking loudly to a person who accompanies you or when on the phone is also frowned upon. At the end of a meal, it is normal in France to share the bill equally among all the guests, unless one of them wants to pay everything.
But in France, saying bonjour several times is super rude. Maybe you didn't know and you're thinking « Oh no! What should I do? »…
Greet them warmly and smile. Aim to be as pleasant and cordial as you can. To do this, imagine that you're interacting with someone you do like.
Salut (pronounced with a silent t) is commonly used in France, although it is extremely informal: It's the equivalent of saying "hey" in English. Avoid using salut with people you don't know unless you are a teenager. If you are in doubt, stick with bonjour, which—as noted—is always an acceptable form of greeting.
Salut: “Hi” in French
Salut is not a way that you would greet strangers either, while it is used in informal settings, it is mainly said to people you know. This can include any acquaintances, though, not just friends and family.
Firstly, how do you actually say “hello” in French? The most common greeting in French is the very useful “bonjour”, and “bonsoir”. The first can be used throughout the day, and the second in the evening. “Salut” is also widely used in a more informal setting.
Merci Beaucoup – Thank you very much
You can reply to this phrase by saying De rien (You are welcome), if it's an informal engagement, or Je vous en prie (You are welcome), in a formal setting.
In French, "salut" is a casual way of saying "hello" or "hi" when greeting someone. It can also mean "bye" or "see you later" when saying goodbye to someone.
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