What is the Difference Between “Bonsoir” and “Bonne Soirée”?
Answer – “Bonsoir” is a greeting, while “bonne soirée” is used to say goodbye.
Explanation:
In English, “bonsoir” means “good evening”. It is used in place of “hi”, “hello” or other such expressions to greet a person you talk to or see in the evening, or more specifically, after 6pm.
“Bonne soirée” can be translated as “have a nice evening”. It is used to bid farewell to a person when the parting is taking place during the evening.
For instance, you are meeting a friend for dinner at 7pm. When you first see them at the restaurant, you will greet them with “bonsoir”. An hour or so later, at the end of your meal, as you are leaving the restaurant and the two of you are taking leave of each other, you will say “bonne soirée”, wishing them a good rest of the evening.
