5 Ways to Say Good Afternoon in French with Pronunciation

Different Ways to Say Good Afternoon in French

Being a local language of 5 continents, your French-speaking skills can act as a valuable asset when it comes to international communication. So, if you are planning to learn French, then you must know about the basic greetings, which also include good afternoon in French, especially when meeting French natives.

Therefore, below are five ways to greet French people when you meet them in the afternoon.

1. Bonne après-midi

The natives use "Bonne après-midi" to wish good afternoon in French to their dear ones while meeting around noon. When you want to convey a formal greeting to anyone you can say "Bonne après-midi".

• Pronunciation: "Bohn ah-preh-mee-dee"
• Translation: Good Afternoon
• Example: "Bon après-midi, monsieur!" (Good afternoon, sir!)

2. Bon aprèm"

Bon aprèm is a short way, which is often used as a substitute for "Bon après-midi, to say good afternoon informally. It is a friendly and casual greeting often used between friends and family to wish someone a good afternoon in French. This abbreviation highlights how French people use short words to communicate casually.

• Pronunciation: "bohn ah-preh-mee"
• Translation: Good Afternoon
• Example: "Bon aprèm, ça va?" (Good afternoon, how's it going?)

3. Bonjour

While "Bonjour" is a universal greeting that translates to "hello" or good morning in French, it is commonly used by natives to greet people throughout the day during everyday meetings. You can use this word in the best way while meeting someone in an informal setting whom you know very well.

• Pronunciation: "bon-zhoor"
• Translation: Hello, Good Day, Good Morning
• Example: "Bonjour, madame." (Good day, madam.)

4. Bon après midi

French people say bon après midi to wish people a pleasant afternoon, precisely when they part ways in the afternoon. It is used to say 'Have a good afternoon' in a commonly polite manner. However, it can also be used for greeting someone in French when you meet them in the afternoon. You can use this phrase between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., which is the early evening.

You can see bonne après-midi meaning, pronunciation and example below.

• Pronunciation: "bo-n ah-preh-mee-dee"
• Translation: Have a good afternoon
• Example: "Au revoir, bon après-midi!" (Goodbye, have a good afternoon)

5. Passe/ Passez un bon après-midi

Using Passe un bon après-midi is suitable when you walk away from a conversation to say good afternoon in French. Moreover, it is the most common goodbye phrase that is similar to "have a nice day" in the English language.

• Pronunciation: "pah-sahn bo-nah-preh-mee-dee"
• Translation: Have a good afternoon
• Example: "Salut, passez un bon après-midi!" (Hi, have a good afternoon!)

French Idioms that Highlight “Midi”

Now that you know how to say good afternoon in French, let’s see a few idioms with the word “midi”, which is noon. Yes, you heard it right; there are several interesting expressions with this word that can help you sound like a native French speaker.

1. Avoir le démon de midi

This French idiom is used to describe a midlife crisis, particularly when it involves a sudden change in attitude. It signifies a period of restlessness and a strong desire for change. For more clarity, the literal translation of the phrase is given below.

Translation: Having noon’s demon.

Meaning: To go through a midlife crisis (From a romantic perspective)

2. Chercher midi à quatorze heures

This French idiom is often used to describe an individual who unnecessarily complicates something. In crux, it can be used to convey a situation of overthinking or making things difficult than they actually are.

Translation: To look for noon at two o’clock

Meaning: When people unnecessarily complicate any situation

3. En plein midi

The phrase is used to refer to a time when the sun is shining strongly during the peak time of the day in the sky. Moreover, it is a key phrase commonly used by the French locals.

Translation: In full moon

Meaning: In the middle of the day

4. Chacun voit midi à sa porte

This idiom is used to illustrate that every individual has a unique way of thinking and perceives each point from their own perspective.

Translation: Everybody sees noon at their door.

Meaning: This indicates that every individual perceives things from their own perspective.

Common Phrases with Examples to Say Good Afternoon

The way you greet others can significantly impact your communication. In French, demonstrating familiarity with the language not only shows respect but also helps build stronger connections. Below are several French greetings for the afternoon, along with their English translations, to help you initiate conversations more confidently.

Also Read: Thank You In French

Tips to Learn When to Use What Greeting

Based on the information provided above, you must understand the various ways of how to say good afternoon in French. However, there are also a few factors to consider when greeting French natives.

Here are a few tips that you can consider while using French greetings for the afternoon to enhance the communication experience:

• Always Start Greeting with Bonjour: You should always use Bonjour to start the greeting during the day, specifically when you are in public spaces.
• Know the Context: Before using any greeting, determine whether you are in a formal or informal setting.
• Maintain Eye Contact and Smile: Maintain eye contact and keep a smile on your face when greeting someone. It shows a friendly gesture and makes the conversation engaging, which is appreciated by people.
• Adapt to the Situation: Different situations require varying levels of formality and greeting types, which you should consider when greeting people. It is crucial for building rapport and effective communication.
• Give Attention to Cultural Norms: The cultural norms are also vital for understanding how to use French daily greetings. For instance, in small towns, it's customary to greet people first, but in large cities, you can wait for others to initiate the conversation.

Conclusion

Summing up, greetings serve as the foundation of effective social interaction. Gaining an understanding of greetings, such as Good afternoon in French, not only shows linguistic ability but also reflects cultural awareness. To build a comprehensive understanding of the French language, you can connect with experts at Gradding.com. Our platform provides French vocabulary for beginners, helping you achieve language proficiency with confidence and clarity.

FAQs

How do you say good afternoon in French?

You can use bon après-midi to say good afternoon in French when you meet someone during the daytime.

Is Bonsoir a good afternoon?

No, “bonsoir” is not used to greet good afternoon in French. It is used to say good evening, usually after 6 p.m.

What is the difference between Bon après-midi vs. Bonne après-midi?

Both bonne après-midi and bon après-midi are used to greet good afternoon in French, but they are used differently based on their grammatical use. You should use "bonne après-midi" in general conversation and "bon après-midi" to say something directly to an individual. Also, the term “a après-midi’ is used for masculine things and used in the feminine form.

What are 5 different ways to say good afternoon in French?

You can use five different ways to say good afternoon in French, which are:

• Bon après midi
• Bonne après-midi
• Bon aprem
• Bonjour
• Passe un bon après-midi