How to Say Good in French (Bon) — A Simple Word with a World of Meaning

November 9, 2025 - By Michel Stova

When I first walked through the cobblestone streets of Paris, I heard the word “bon” more times than I could count. Bon appétit! Bon voyage! C’est bon!

Each “bon” carried warmth — like a little spark of joy. It wasn’t just a word; it was a reflection of how deeply the French appreciate the good things in life: good food, good company, good art, and good conversation.

Learning how to say good in French is more than a vocabulary exercise — it’s a glimpse into a culture that celebrates quality and kindness in everything. Across the world, every language has its own version of “good,” expressing gratitude, approval, or positivity. Let’s explore how this beautiful word connects us all.

🗺️ Table: How to Say “Good” in Different Languages

Language	Word/Phrase for “Good”	Cultural Insight
French	Bon / Bonne	Reflects positivity and approval; used in countless expressions.
English	Good	Common in daily life; represents satisfaction and moral virtue.
Spanish	Bueno / Buena	Often linked to warmth and friendliness.
Italian	Buono / Buona	Related to taste and pleasure; Italians use it often to describe food and people.
German	Gut	Means both “good” and “fine”; used to show correctness or quality.
Turkish	İyi	Means “good” or “well”; expresses positivity and politeness.
Arabic	Jayyid (جيد)	Means “excellent” or “good”; used both formally and casually.
Japanese	Yoi / Ii (いい)	Used to express approval or satisfaction.
Mandarin (Chinese)	Hǎo (好)	Symbolizes goodness, harmony, and approval.
Hindi (India)	Acchha (अच्छा)	Means good, fine, or okay; often used as an expression of understanding.
Swahili	Nzuri	Means beautiful or good; reflects positivity.
Zulu	Kuhle	Means good or nice; also used to show agreement.
Hawaiian	Maika’i	Means good or excellent; tied to a spirit of gratitude.
Maori (New Zealand)	Pai	Means good, fine, or kind; reflects harmony and positivity.
Russian	Khorosho (Хорошо)	Means good, well, or fine; often used to express approval.

🇫🇷 How to Say Good in French

The French word for “good” is bon (pronounced bohn). For feminine nouns, it becomes bonne (pronounced bunn).

You’ll hear it everywhere in France:

Bon appétit! — Enjoy your meal!
C’est bon! — It’s good!
Bonne journée! — Have a good day!
Bon voyage! — Have a good trip!

Cultural Insight:
In French, bon expresses appreciation and contentment. It’s not just about moral goodness but also about life’s pleasures — good taste, good experiences, good living. To say bon is to celebrate quality and positivity.

Learning how to say good in French gives you a deeper appreciation for the art of savoring life — the French way.

🇪🇺 How to Say “Good” in European Languages

Europe’s expressions for “good” reflect values of quality, kindness, and respect.

Spain — Bueno/Buena: Used often for people, food, or experiences; expresses friendliness.
Italy — Buono/Buona: Synonymous with delicious; Italians often say Buonissimo! to emphasize excellence.
Germany — Gut: Used to confirm understanding or quality; Alles gut means “everything’s fine.”
Greece — Kalos: Means beautiful and good — combining ethics and aesthetics.
Portugal — Bom / Boa: Common in greetings like Bom dia (Good morning).
Sweden — Bra: Means good; often used in casual conversations like “Det är bra” (It’s good).

European languages tie “good” to balance, taste, and well-being — echoing a shared cultural love for quality and connection.

🌏 How to Say “Good” in Asian Languages

Asia’s interpretations of “good” carry layers of spirituality, respect, and everyday gratitude.

China — Hǎo (好): Used for everything from “good morning” (zǎo hǎo) to “good person” (hǎo rén).
Japan — Ii (いい): Reflects politeness and calm approval.
India — Acchha (अच्छा): Used to mean “good,” “fine,” or even “okay.” Tone determines emotion.
Korea — Joheun (좋은): Used to express kindness and positivity.
Thailand — Dee: Common in greetings like Sawasdee dee mai? (Are you well?).
Indonesia — Baik: Means good or well; part of everyday conversation.
Arabic — Jayyid: Often used with respect; means excellent or satisfactory.
Persian — Khoob: Means good, well, or fine; used warmly in casual talk.
Turkish — İyi: Means good or fine; used both for health and well-being.
Vietnamese — Tốt: Reflects moral and emotional goodness.

Asian languages show that “good” isn’t just a word — it’s a way of living mindfully and respectfully.

🌍 How to Say “Good” in African Languages

Across Africa, words for “good” are full of warmth, gratitude, and moral meaning.

Swahili — Nzuri: Means good, beautiful, or nice — a versatile word for positivity.
Zulu — Kuhle: Expresses goodness and beauty; also used as a compliment.
Yoruba — Dara: Means good, kind, or excellent.
Amharic — Tiru: Means good or pure in Ethiopian culture.
Shona — Zvakanaka: Means fine, well, or good.
Somali — Wanaagsan: Means good or excellent.
Akan (Ghana) — Papa: Means good or virtuous.
Lingala — Malamu: Expresses well-being and goodness.
Berber — Idir: Related to life and goodness.
Hausa — Lafiya: Means good health and peace.

African greetings and words for “good” often connect to community, spirituality, and gratitude — not just quality.

🌺 How to Say “Good” in Indigenous & Island Languages

In indigenous and island cultures, “good” carries emotional and spiritual weight.

Hawaiian — Maika’i: Means good, beautiful, or excellent; a reflection of gratitude.
Maori — Pai: Means good, fine, or kind — expressing well-being.
Samoan — Lelei: Means good or nice; part of everyday warmth.
Cherokee — Osda: Means good or beautiful.
Tahitian — Maitai: Means good or well; used in daily speech.
Fijian — Vinaka: Means good, thank you, or appreciation.
Inuit — Pualu: Means good or well-done.
Haitian Creole — Bon: Derived from French, symbolizing cultural connection.
Tagalog — Mabuti: Means good or fine; used with care and sincerity.
Guaraní — Porã: Means good, nice, or beautiful.

These words reveal how deeply goodness is tied to gratitude, balance, and nature in indigenous societies.

💬 Cultural Insights: The Meaning of “Bon”

In French, bon isn’t just an adjective — it’s a lifestyle.
It embodies appreciation for quality, beauty, and emotional richness. From bonheur (happiness) to bon cœur (good heart), “bon” appears in hundreds of French words that express emotional intelligence and kindness.

Historically, “bon” also reflects the French ideal of bien vivre — the art of good living, enjoying good food, conversation, and moments of peace.

🌸 Proverbs About “Good” in Different Cultures

French: “Tout est bon dans le meilleur des mondes.” — Everything is good in the best of worlds.
Chinese: “Good words are worth much and cost little.”
Swahili: “Habari njema huenea kwa haraka.” — Good news travels fast.
Arabic: “He who does good finds good.”
English: “Do good and good will come to you.”
Turkish: “İyilik eden iyilik bulur.” — “He who does good finds good.”

Across cultures, “goodness” is both an action and a reflection of who we are.

❓ FAQs

Q1: What does “bon” mean in French?
“Bon” means “good” or “fine.” It’s used for masculine nouns, while “bonne” is for feminine ones.

Q2: How do you pronounce “bon” in French?
It’s pronounced bohn — with a soft nasal sound at the end.

Q3: What are common French phrases using “bon”?
Some examples include Bon appétit! (Enjoy your meal), Bonne chance! (Good luck), and Bon voyage! (Have a good trip).

Q4: Is “bon” used formally or informally?
Both — it’s flexible. You can use it casually with friends or politely in conversation.

Q5: What does “bonne journée” mean?
It means “have a good day” — a polite and friendly everyday phrase.

❤️ Conclusion: The Universal Spirit of “Good”

From Bon in French to Bueno, Hǎo, Nzuri, and Maika’i, the word “good” connects us across languages and lives.

It reminds us that despite our differences, we all value kindness, excellence, and joy.
So the next time someone wishes you Bonne journée, smile — you’re sharing a piece of the world’s goodness.

💬 Now it’s your turn!
How do you say “good” in your language? Share it in the comments and spread a little “bon” energy around the globe. 🌎✨