French greetings: bonjour, salut and au revoir: what children learn
Greetings are where most children start learning French. With a handful of phrases, such as bonjour, salut, au revoir, comment ça va? and je m’appelle, they can already hold a tiny conversation: say hello, ask how someone is, answer, give their name and say goodbye. The National Curriculum asks Key Stage 2 pupils to engage in conversations and ask and answer questions, and greetings are the first step.
This game checks the meaning of common greetings and asks which one fits a situation, such as meeting a teacher or a neighbour in the evening. French words are marked in the page so screen readers switch to a French voice. Say each phrase aloud as you play: speaking is the best way to remember.
This topic covers a Key Stage 2 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Subject content): pupils should be taught to “engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help”. The programme of study sets this for the whole of Key Stage 2, so schools choose when to teach it; we have placed this game in Year 3 (ages 7–8).
There is no direct equivalent in the US Common Core State Standards.
How to play
Answer 10 questions before the clock runs out. Tap an answer, or press 1 to 4. Each game has 10 multiple-choice questions and a 150-second timer. A wrong answer shows the correct one before moving on. You earn up to three stars depending on your score.
Step by step
- Learn the hello and goodbye pair. Bonjour (hello) and au revoir (goodbye). Use them every morning and evening at home.
- Add the friendly version. Salut is “hi” for friends and family. Bonjour is polite for everyone.
- Ask how someone is. Comment ça va? Answer ça va bien (I’m well) or ça va mal (I’m not well).
- Give your name. Je m’appelle… and ask comment tu t’appelles?
- Mind the time of day. Bonsoir in the evening; bonne nuit only at bedtime.
Worked examples
Example 1: What does à bientôt mean?
Working: Bientôt means soon. It is a friendly goodbye.
Answer: See you soon.
Example 2: Which greeting would you use with your teacher?
Working: Salut is for friends. With adults, use the polite greeting.
Answer: Bonjour.
Example 3: It is evening and you meet a neighbour. What do you say?
Working: Bonne nuit is for bedtime, so in the evening use the other one.
Answer: Bonsoir.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Saying bonne nuit for good evening. Bonne nuit is only for going to bed. For good evening, say bonsoir.
- Using salut with teachers. Salut is informal. Say bonjour, madame or bonjour, monsieur to adults.
- Pronouncing the j in bonjour like an English j. The French j is soft, like the s in “measure”. Listen to a native speaker.
Activities to try at home
- Greet each other in French at breakfast for a week.
- Make finger puppets that say bonjour and au revoir.
- Watch a short French cartoon and listen for greetings.
- Print the game sheet and practise saying each phrase aloud.
Ideas for the classroom
- Start each French lesson with a quick greetings circle.
- Role-play meeting people at different times of day.
- Sing a greetings song, then play the quiz.
- Pair pupils to hold a 4-line conversation: greeting, how are you, name, goodbye.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Does the game teach pronunciation?
The game is written, so it checks meaning. Use audio from BBC Bitesize or your school scheme to practise saying the words.
Why does the game include please and thank you?
They are part of the polite phrases children use in conversation, alongside greetings.
Is French the only language?
The curriculum lets schools choose any language. We start with French, the most widely taught in English primary schools.