Please share today's "Dogs of France (and Europe!)" post with an animal lover. Meantime, French learners will appreciate notes on all the "bon" expressions (bon courage, bon appétit, bon séjour) and insights into the French idiosyncracy of well wishing. Read on … but first allow me to wish you bonne lecture!, or happy reading!
bon (boh(n) silent "n")
good; right, correct
Audio file: Listen to our daughter, Jackie, read the following example sentence: Download MP3 or Wav file
Bonne fête, bonne journée, bonne promenade… bon appétit… les francais ont la manie de souhaiter les bonnes choses! Happy holiday, have a good day, enjoy your walk… or meal… the French are obsessed with well-wishing!
The following post was inspired by a comment I received over the weekend:
Hi Kristin,
I was recently in France, and people wished me "bon courage" at the recent death of a family member there. Does this really mean "good luck"? This expression must have many meanings and uses. To my anglophone sensibilities, wishing someone good luck when a loved one passes away seems a bit odd and inappropriate. But I was wished "bon courage" with such heart felt emotion that I knew that this was an encouraging thing to wish me. Language is so interesting. Bette
Hi Bette,
I'm so sorry for your loss. You mentioned the bon courage expression meaning "good luck" and it seems this is true (though, for "good luck," the expression bonne chance also comes to my mind).
But back to bon courage… in addition to meaning "good luck," bon courage is also an expression of support, similar to "be strong" or even "take it easy."
Bette, your note about the French language reminds me of the confusion I often felt, when I first came to France, on discovering all the bonnes choses or "good" things the French were constantly wishing each other. I remember my surprise and embarrassment when complete strangers wished me bon appétit! while passing by the park bench, where I sat eating my lunch.
This very personal acknowledgment by a stranger would be the beginning of a budding insight into the French and their automatic courtesy. I leave you with several more examples of French well-wishing (which I've paired with some photos from the archives), and wish you, as my husband often wishes me when I set out to work: bonne édition! Enjoy this post! (or good luck writing today's post, as Jean-Marc said just this morning.)
Bon voyage… Photo taken in Sauve, Italy. Bon voyage is one of the more common courtesies you will hear the French wish each other.
Bon voyage = Have a good trip!
Bon rétablissement… Photo taken in Croatia. Bon rétablissement is something the French wish each other when they are sick or healing.
Bon rétablissment = Get well soon or speedy recovery!
Bon essayage? As I said, above, one thing that amused me when I first came to France, was how they were always well-wishing each other–everything from bon essayage to bon bricolage (I heard this last one at Castorama over the weekend.)
bon essayage! = happy trying-on!
bon bricolage = happy DIYing! (happy home improvement!)
Bon jardinage. I dare you to go to une pépinière or nursery this time of year and not hear this well-wish at the checkout lane:
bon jardinage! = happy gardening!
Bon débarras! Cats–and an imposter–in the town of Visan. Don't go getting the idea that all the wishes wished by the French are altruistic! From time to time you'll hear this one:
Bon débarras = good riddance!
Bonne dégustation. A wish I often hear, living with a winemaker who loves to share his vin with friends, is this one:
bonne dégustation! = enjoy your drink!
Bon reniflement? Just kidding, French dogs don't really wish this to each other… but one can't be sure about French perfumists, and their courtesies…
bon reniflement! = good sniffing!
Bon….? Your turn to decide what this dog is wishing its friend, and in so doing share several more "bon" expressions. Click here to share your answer.
By the way, will you please help name the dog types in today's edition? Click here to identify the dog breeds.
Bonne sieste! = Have a good nap! This napper, or vineyard dog, lives at Mas de Martin. Total animal lovers there.
Almost time, now, to wish you bon au revoir. On second thought, they don't say that at all in France! So much sweeter to say "à la prochaine!" (until next time…)
… and bonne continuation! I almost left out my favorite "bon(ne)" expression…
Bonne continuation! = I wish you all the best (also = Keep up the good work!)
Do you have a favorite "bon" expression? Share it with us in the comments corner, here.
Other Favorite Dogs! Don't miss them here:
Dog in Giens
Dog in Spain – Amazing fur style!
Hiding dog… can you guess who this is?
Dog with motorcycle
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
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C’était une trés bonne édition Kristin! Merci beaucoup et bonne journée à vous!
C’était une trés bonne édition Kristin! Merci beaucoup et bonne journée à vous!
LOVE this post Kristin! As a total dog lover, I can’t stop looking at these photos! Thanks for sharing.
All of the bon phrases are awesome. Must jot those down for future use in France!
Eileen-love your “bon poo poo” suggestion. So funny and perfect for that picture!
As always, bonne continuation to you Kristin!
LOVE this post Kristin! As a total dog lover, I can’t stop looking at these photos! Thanks for sharing.
All of the bon phrases are awesome. Must jot those down for future use in France!
Eileen-love your “bon poo poo” suggestion. So funny and perfect for that picture!
As always, bonne continuation to you Kristin!
Well it has been a while since I have posted so it was time I dropped a line. I am surprised no one else has come up with this- Bonne lecture! Perfect to wish for Kristin’s blog.
Two other favorites of mine already mentioned by other readers: Bon vent! and a sentimental favorite: Bonne continuation. When I was only 19 and living as an au pair in Paris, the building landlady would always wish me Bonne continuation. I don’t know exactly how to translate it, but something to effect of, Keep on keeping on is pretty close I suppose.
I also have to share Kristin’s awkward reaction to eating in public and having strangers who pass by wishing Bon appétit, but now I am used to it and find it charming.
Those of you watching the new Pope Francis and his Sunday lunchtime Angelus speeches might have caught a jaunty Buon pranzo (Have a good lunch) Very atypical for a pope, but so common to wish in Italy!
Best to all of you in Bandol, Kristin and family, and greetings from the Napa Valley to all those readers around the world.
Bonne continuation et bonne lecture à tous from Michael Wrenn, French teacher, St. Helena California
Well it has been a while since I have posted so it was time I dropped a line. I am surprised no one else has come up with this- Bonne lecture! Perfect to wish for Kristin’s blog.
Two other favorites of mine already mentioned by other readers: Bon vent! and a sentimental favorite: Bonne continuation. When I was only 19 and living as an au pair in Paris, the building landlady would always wish me Bonne continuation. I don’t know exactly how to translate it, but something to effect of, Keep on keeping on is pretty close I suppose.
I also have to share Kristin’s awkward reaction to eating in public and having strangers who pass by wishing Bon appétit, but now I am used to it and find it charming.
Those of you watching the new Pope Francis and his Sunday lunchtime Angelus speeches might have caught a jaunty Buon pranzo (Have a good lunch) Very atypical for a pope, but so common to wish in Italy!
Best to all of you in Bandol, Kristin and family, and greetings from the Napa Valley to all those readers around the world.
Bonne continuation et bonne lecture à tous from Michael Wrenn, French teacher, St. Helena California
The dog in Visan is a wire haired Dachshund, just like my baby! So sweet. Hope Smokey Dokey and Braise are doing well. I don’t get to stop by as often as I used to since I moved to the Caribbean, so I miss seeing their sweet faces. Hope all is well in France with you and yours. ~Erin (formerly of Atlanta)
The dog in Visan is a wire haired Dachshund, just like my baby! So sweet. Hope Smokey Dokey and Braise are doing well. I don’t get to stop by as often as I used to since I moved to the Caribbean, so I miss seeing their sweet faces. Hope all is well in France with you and yours. ~Erin (formerly of Atlanta)
I enjoyed the dog photos, especially the one that accompanied “bon jardinage.”
I have no “bon” expressions to add to those already mentioned, but there is a French proverb with “bon”: A bon vin, point d’enseigne.
I enjoyed the dog photos, especially the one that accompanied “bon jardinage.”
I have no “bon” expressions to add to those already mentioned, but there is a French proverb with “bon”: A bon vin, point d’enseigne.
Wonderful post. I love your fotos.
Wonderful post. I love your fotos.
Bill in St Paul, Your note reminds me to add a passage to the text–just before the part where I pick up the spoon and decide to go ahead and eat. That is when I stopped to think about the role reversal: like your wife, Ann, and many reading here, I am used to bringing the helpers treats (pieces of cake, chocolate, and lots of good coffee–and sometimes lunch) I will add this to the story, to give that section a better contrast. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bill in St Paul, Your note reminds me to add a passage to the text–just before the part where I pick up the spoon and decide to go ahead and eat. That is when I stopped to think about the role reversal: like your wife, Ann, and many reading here, I am used to bringing the helpers treats (pieces of cake, chocolate, and lots of good coffee–and sometimes lunch) I will add this to the story, to give that section a better contrast. Thanks for the inspiration!
I was very, very pleased to see the tan dog with the black muzzle gazing to the sky from the garden of flowers, as it is the same breed as our lovely “Tosco” a Belgian Shepherd/Berger de Belge (who loves snow, but has been raised in Phoenix, Arizona most his life).
We recently moved to Southern Oregon & have a French Club formed through http://www.MeetUp.com & your daily words are so educational for our language advancement.
I was very, very pleased to see the tan dog with the black muzzle gazing to the sky from the garden of flowers, as it is the same breed as our lovely “Tosco” a Belgian Shepherd/Berger de Belge (who loves snow, but has been raised in Phoenix, Arizona most his life).
We recently moved to Southern Oregon & have a French Club formed through http://www.MeetUp.com & your daily words are so educational for our language advancement.
I loved your story and lesson today, Kristin. I was particularly amused by the picture titled, “Bon debars!” That poor dog was so sullen. One could easily imagine how loudly the cats meowed: “Bon debars!” And, without a doubt, they meowed without remorse, and with great relish. So Funny! Bonne continuation, Kristen!
I loved your story and lesson today, Kristin. I was particularly amused by the picture titled, “Bon debars!” That poor dog was so sullen. One could easily imagine how loudly the cats meowed: “Bon debars!” And, without a doubt, they meowed without remorse, and with great relish. So Funny! Bonne continuation, Kristen!
Hi Kristi
Looooved this dog post, don’t know how I missed it the first time…Being a dog painter and sculptor, I can use as much visual inspiration as possible, and these were all wonderful.
looks like most of the pups were named by now, and I suspect the big white ( dirty) fluffy sheepdog is a Maremma, saw some in Tuscany some years ago.
Sounds like Jackie’s going to have a great US summer with her grandparents! Where do they live? She’s welcome to come visit DC if they are around the East Coast, Jean-Marc can tell you we have plenty of room for everyone.
ps, just read pure coconut oil is a great sunscreen too
Have a great summer! bises, Suz
Hi Kristi
Looooved this dog post, don’t know how I missed it the first time…Being a dog painter and sculptor, I can use as much visual inspiration as possible, and these were all wonderful.
looks like most of the pups were named by now, and I suspect the big white ( dirty) fluffy sheepdog is a Maremma, saw some in Tuscany some years ago.
Sounds like Jackie’s going to have a great US summer with her grandparents! Where do they live? She’s welcome to come visit DC if they are around the East Coast, Jean-Marc can tell you we have plenty of room for everyone.
ps, just read pure coconut oil is a great sunscreen too
Have a great summer! bises, Suz
Why is that dog in a t shirt? Doesn’t it stop him having a good scratch – something all dogs love to do naturally. It may look cute, but I don’t think it’s particularly kind to the animal. I do hope someone eventually released him from it.
Why is that dog in a t shirt? Doesn’t it stop him having a good scratch – something all dogs love to do naturally. It may look cute, but I don’t think it’s particularly kind to the animal. I do hope someone eventually released him from it.
THe first time I was wished Bon Appetit by a stranger, as I was eating on a bench, I was sure it was someone being fresh. Like I was being some sort of cretin eating on a bench like that, but then I learned it’s what they do to everyone!!
THe first time I was wished Bon Appetit by a stranger, as I was eating on a bench, I was sure it was someone being fresh. Like I was being some sort of cretin eating on a bench like that, but then I learned it’s what they do to everyone!!