allanb Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Why do the French say "bon jour" when they meet you but "bonne journée" when they leave?Can it be a gender thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 I know ............I know. Bonjour means g'day and bonjournee means have a nice day., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsole Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Years ago when I used to holiday in france, and didn' really know much of the language and thought 'un café' or 'une biere' was enough, on the route, when I stopped at a boulangerie or a bar (which was often) the bar, not the boulangerie, I often used to wonder how they knew I was on a 'journey' when then said 'bonne journee'.[B] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 [quote user="allanb"]Why do the French say "bon jour" when they meet you but "bonne journée" when they leave?Can it be a gender thing? [/quote]But they do that all the time. They say "bon soir" when they see you in the evening and "bonne soirée" when they leave. I guess it's just to keep you on your toes.[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Think about it (this time) with your English head on, you have 2 situations:1st meeting someone for the first time or first time that day2nd parting from that same personYou have the choice between "good day/afternoon/evening"and "have a good day/afternoon/evening"Which would you use?Its not at all a question of keeping someone on their toes, that is when you say "bonsoir" to someone and they reply "bonjour" yet the next time at the same hour when you say "bonjour" they say "bonsoir"!Never ever say bonjour a second time to someone when meeting them later in the day, very offensive, use salut instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ysatis Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 I think 'bonjour' is hello/ good day and 'bonne journée' is saying: have a good day, as in all day, for the rest of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 [quote user="J.R."]Never ever say bonjour a second time to someone when meeting them later in the day, very offensive, use salut instead.[/quote]That's one to remember Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 [quote user="Just Katie"][quote user="J.R."] Never ever say bonjour a second time to someone when meeting them later in the day, very offensive, use salut instead.[/quote]That's one to remember[/quote]Or rebonjour. Salut is very familiar, only to pals, not to someone you hardly know for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 [quote user="Christine Animal"][quote user="Just Katie"][quote user="J.R."] Never ever say bonjour a second time to someone when meeting them later in the day, very offensive, use salut instead.[/quote]That's one to remember[/quote]Or rebonjour. Salut is very familiar, only to pals, not to someone you hardly know for example. [/quote]It is worrying that I could get myself into a lot of innocent trouble in France [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Mais non, pas toi ! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Mais oui, toujours c'est la meme en anglais [:$] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Last night, I was in a bar. Oh yes, I've recovered from my pneumonia to start getting back out again... I was not alone - I had my husband with me. [;-)]As we arrived, I did the usual 'Bonsoir, messieurs, mesdames' (said very quickly like they do, so it comes out as Bnsoirmsieursmdames). Fine. Duly acknowledged. Then when we left, I said: 'Bonne nuit, messieurs, mesdames' and they looked at me in a peculiar way. Are you not supposed to say Bonne nuit (or bon nuit, if it is a masculine noun)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I think you are only meant to say bon nuit when you are getting in to bed. .... or so I was told .[:$] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groslard Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Bon jour is like saying hello, except it adds the idea of 'bon' which is niceThe second time you should say 'rébonjour' to show that you remember that you have already met them and that it registered. If you say 'Bon jour' again they will think you didn't notice the first time. 'Salut ' is young and familiar a bit like 'Hi''Bonne journée' is because 'journée' refers to a period of time: so you are really wishing them well for the rest of the day, or evening in the case of Bonne soirée.If it's really late you might also get 'bonne fin de soirée' which I am sure you can work out!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourangelle Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 rébonjour isn't really good French though, however, better to say that than the occasionally to be heard "ré". Bonne nuit (it's feminine) is just before you go to bed, you wouldn't have got strange looks if you'd just said bon soir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 [quote user="Ysatis "] I think 'bonjour' is hello/ good day and 'bonne journée' is saying: have a good day, as in all day, for the rest of the day.[/quote]Yes !!And if you meet someone for the second time , just don't say anything, or nod your head!as regards " bonne nuit " , yes, you say so to someone whos going to bed.. I'd say " bonne fin de soirée " if I left a place late in the evening.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsole Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 katie wroteIt is worrying that I could get myself into a lot of innocent trouble in France [8-)] 'Join the club....................but it's great fun finding out[blink] Frenche, I've found that 'salut' is for friends, but if you meets someone again during the day it seems that, "ah déja" seems to be OK as you move to shake hands again/ or 'bisous'[kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Ah déja ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsole Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 already done! or déja vu![:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 When I meet someone I ve already met earlier, I just nod my head or say " re".. ( I know the English don't like " re" LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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