French Phrase
Bonne journée.
Meaning
‘Bonne journée’ is a friendly wish meaning ‘Have a good day’. It is used when parting or ending a conversation, and it conveys a polite, upbeat tone.
When to use
You can say it in informal settings with friends, family, or colleagues, and also in semi‑formal contexts such as emails or when leaving a shop. It works both in spoken French and in casual written messages.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Bonnejournée
Adjective agreement
‘Bonne’ is the feminine form of the adjective ‘bon’ and must agree with the feminine noun ‘journée’.
Feminine noun
‘Journée’ (day) is a feminine noun, so any adjective placed before it takes the feminine ending –e.
Ellipsis of the verb
The phrase is a shortened version of ‘Je vous souhaite une bonne journée’, the verb is omitted in everyday speech.
🗨In Conversation
Je dois filer, à tout à l’heure !
I have to run, see you later!
Bonne journée !
Have a good day!
✕Common Mistakes
Bon journée.
‘Bon’ is the masculine form; it must agree with the feminine noun ‘journée’.
Bonne jour.
‘Jour’ is masculine, so the adjective should be ‘bon’, not ‘bonne’.
Bonne journée
Missing the final period is fine in speech, but in formal writing you should include the punctuation.
↔Alternatives
Bonne journée à vous.
Have a good day (to you).
Passe une bonne journée.
Have a good day (informal, to one person).
Je vous souhaite une bonne journée.
I wish you a good day.
Cultural Tip
In French, ‘journée’ is always feminine, so the adjective must be ‘bonne’, not ‘bon’. The phrase is more common in spoken French; in formal writing you’ll often see the full sentence ‘Je vous souhaite une bonne journée’. Also, French speakers tend to use it as a closing remark rather than a greeting at the start of an encounter.