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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Great post..sent it on to some of my dog friends, share it regularly with my “french” loving friends…most of the dogs are mixes but the very first on is a Puli which is what my Hannah is!…believe the one in Vison is a wire hared dachshund, then a chocolate lab at the fountain though the legs look a little short, maybe not..looking down a large Yorkshire or perhaps a Skye terrier…the one before that also a terrier perhaps a mix. catharine ewart-touzot
Great post..sent it on to some of my dog friends, share it regularly with my “french” loving friends…most of the dogs are mixes but the very first on is a Puli which is what my Hannah is!…believe the one in Vison is a wire hared dachshund, then a chocolate lab at the fountain though the legs look a little short, maybe not..looking down a large Yorkshire or perhaps a Skye terrier…the one before that also a terrier perhaps a mix. catharine ewart-touzot
The dog in the last photo, with the scooter, looks like a Bedlington terrier . . .
The dog in the last photo, with the scooter, looks like a Bedlington terrier . . .
I have often heard bonne continuation when I am in France. It is used in so many ways…just keep doing well in whatever it is you are doing…and so dear Kristin I wish you bonne continuation in your writing which brings so much pleasure to so many people like me. Janine
I have often heard bonne continuation when I am in France. It is used in so many ways…just keep doing well in whatever it is you are doing…and so dear Kristin I wish you bonne continuation in your writing which brings so much pleasure to so many people like me. Janine
If any of the cute pups in your post are American expats in France, they could possibly be telling one another
“Bon bone” 🙂
Aloha, Bill
If any of the cute pups in your post are American expats in France, they could possibly be telling one another
“Bon bone” 🙂
Aloha, Bill
With my limited French exposure, I would have heard “Take heart!” in that well-wisher’s condolence, and have only ever used “Bonne chance” for “Good luck.” …. I’ve been a silent reader of yours for quite a while – thanks today, as always, for your gift of a bit of France to cheer my day!
With my limited French exposure, I would have heard “Take heart!” in that well-wisher’s condolence, and have only ever used “Bonne chance” for “Good luck.” …. I’ve been a silent reader of yours for quite a while – thanks today, as always, for your gift of a bit of France to cheer my day!
How about bon anniversaire (happy birthday), bonne route (have a good road trip==a trip by car) and bonne annee (happy new year), bon weekend and bonne nuit.
How about bon anniversaire (happy birthday), bonne route (have a good road trip==a trip by car) and bonne annee (happy new year), bon weekend and bonne nuit.
Lovely photos, Kristin! I enjoyed reading today’s edition. In Russian and Hebrew, there are many well-wishing expressions similar to the ones you mentioned.
Lovely photos, Kristin! I enjoyed reading today’s edition. In Russian and Hebrew, there are many well-wishing expressions similar to the ones you mentioned.
“Bon courage” seems perfect for expressing sympathy for someone’s loss. “Courage” comes from the word for heart. In Thai metaphysics, the heart is the seat for bravery/fortitude and its counterpoint, grief (not fear). With a real heart-felt loss, it takes courage to continue, to move through and beyond the grief. N’est-ce pas?
— Dennis
“Bon courage” seems perfect for expressing sympathy for someone’s loss. “Courage” comes from the word for heart. In Thai metaphysics, the heart is the seat for bravery/fortitude and its counterpoint, grief (not fear). With a real heart-felt loss, it takes courage to continue, to move through and beyond the grief. N’est-ce pas?
— Dennis
After a stressful weekend, these pooches … and all the bons … made my day!
After a stressful weekend, these pooches … and all the bons … made my day!
Bonne Route at the exit of the autoroute aires always makes me feel good.
Bonne Route at the exit of the autoroute aires always makes me feel good.
MY mother, daughter and I could not figure out how to get our rental car into reverse gear. This was several years ago in Arles. A kind man showed us how a small cowling on the shifter needed to be lifted with the fingertips. Aha!
Many mercis from us, and as he turned to go, he said “Bon vacances” with just a bit of doubt in his voice that it would be so. Fun memory.
MY mother, daughter and I could not figure out how to get our rental car into reverse gear. This was several years ago in Arles. A kind man showed us how a small cowling on the shifter needed to be lifted with the fingertips. Aha!
Many mercis from us, and as he turned to go, he said “Bon vacances” with just a bit of doubt in his voice that it would be so. Fun memory.
Bon Vol! Bon sejour! Bon retour! Bon vent! Bonne fin de semaine! Bonnes vacances!
Bon Vol! Bon sejour! Bon retour! Bon vent! Bonne fin de semaine! Bonnes vacances!
When my husband started out from Bordeaux on the Camino de Santiago, “Bon courage” was the cry he heard from everyone who saw him. I think it means “Courage, man!” more than “good luck”. (They knew the 750K to Santiago would not be easy!)
French genealogists wish each other “bonnes recherches” or “bonne continuance” when posting to the various départemental/surname Listes.
I think it is a charming habit, and so economical … instead of saying “I wish you/I hope you have a…” (with the focus on the speaker, not the recipient) or “Have a…” (a command), the word bon/bonne serves just as well and is a lot more friendly.
When my husband started out from Bordeaux on the Camino de Santiago, “Bon courage” was the cry he heard from everyone who saw him. I think it means “Courage, man!” more than “good luck”. (They knew the 750K to Santiago would not be easy!)
French genealogists wish each other “bonnes recherches” or “bonne continuance” when posting to the various départemental/surname Listes.
I think it is a charming habit, and so economical … instead of saying “I wish you/I hope you have a…” (with the focus on the speaker, not the recipient) or “Have a…” (a command), the word bon/bonne serves just as well and is a lot more friendly.
l’édition d’aujourd’hui grande, Kristin!
Lots of useful phrases to add to our knowledge base, I might add “bonne randonnée”
À plus tard
l’édition d’aujourd’hui grande, Kristin!
Lots of useful phrases to add to our knowledge base, I might add “bonne randonnée”
À plus tard
Kristin, I love this post! The photos are wonderful – inspiration for paintings! And, bonne continuation a toi!
Kristin, I love this post! The photos are wonderful – inspiration for paintings! And, bonne continuation a toi!
Love this edition, the phrases and your wonderful photos. You have a great eye!
Love this edition, the phrases and your wonderful photos. You have a great eye!
I’m still laughing at Smokey’s hiding place. We also have a yellow lab, Virginia,who is nearly 13. I enjoy the dogs in France as much as anything I ever do and have wanted a Briard ever since I was with one years ago. Caroline du Sud is probably much too hot for one! Love your blog and it makes me feel as though I’m there with all of you. Thanks for the time you spend on us!
I’m still laughing at Smokey’s hiding place. We also have a yellow lab, Virginia,who is nearly 13. I enjoy the dogs in France as much as anything I ever do and have wanted a Briard ever since I was with one years ago. Caroline du Sud is probably much too hot for one! Love your blog and it makes me feel as though I’m there with all of you. Thanks for the time you spend on us!
Your photography is incredible! I enjoy your posts although don’t always have time to comment. All the best.
Your photography is incredible! I enjoy your posts although don’t always have time to comment. All the best.
Our dear Kristi,
ALL of your posts are wonderful(!!) but this one is that and MORE!!
So enjoyed the subject,and VERY especially,the
terrific photographs! As an over the top dog lover, these just captured my imagination (and my heart).My favorite has to be of the precious Yorkie,looking over the railing, no doubt wishing our two (very distant) ones a most “Bon Journee!”
THANK YOU for so many welcome smiles today!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
ALL of your posts are wonderful(!!) but this one is that and MORE!!
So enjoyed the subject,and VERY especially,the
terrific photographs! As an over the top dog lover, these just captured my imagination (and my heart).My favorite has to be of the precious Yorkie,looking over the railing, no doubt wishing our two (very distant) ones a most “Bon Journee!”
THANK YOU for so many welcome smiles today!
Love, Natalia XO
The Malinois is most certainly Art Carney as Ed Norton in The Honeymooners reborn as this inquisitive dog checking out the neighborhood. Bon point, tutu! You deserve a brownie point, pup!
The Malinois is most certainly Art Carney as Ed Norton in The Honeymooners reborn as this inquisitive dog checking out the neighborhood. Bon point, tutu! You deserve a brownie point, pup!
oops! spell that “toutou”. Always learning, here.
oops! spell that “toutou”. Always learning, here.
Votre edition etait tres bon! Ah, les chiens. Quel plaisir de les voir. Maintenant, apres un jour long, c’est bon de lire votre edition. Merci. A bientot.
Votre edition etait tres bon! Ah, les chiens. Quel plaisir de les voir. Maintenant, apres un jour long, c’est bon de lire votre edition. Merci. A bientot.
Votre edition etait tres bonne. Excusez-moi.
Votre edition etait tres bonne. Excusez-moi.
Well, the one we all know from Julia Child, “bon appetit!” Et “bon courage” is just what she said – en-courage-ing.
What a great post. Thanks!
Well, the one we all know from Julia Child, “bon appetit!” Et “bon courage” is just what she said – en-courage-ing.
What a great post. Thanks!
The pup in Croatia tugged at my heart…what a sweet expression. I have always told my dogs bon chien. They have always seemed to understand!
The pup in Croatia tugged at my heart…what a sweet expression. I have always told my dogs bon chien. They have always seemed to understand!