Bon voyage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Bon voyage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to wish someone a good trip or safe travels, often when they are departing for a journey. Example: "As you head off to Europe for the summer, I just wanted to say bon voyage and enjoy every moment of your adventure!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bon voyage!

The New York Times

"Bon voyage, Lustgarten".

The New Yorker

Bon voyage, indeed.

The Guardian - Arts

"Bon voyage!" we said to them.

The New Yorker

Bon voyage, Tayaut, my best of breed!

The New Yorker

Bon voyage, my friend, and thank you for the love, loyalty and lunacy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Bon Voyage to my very dear friend and valued mentor who is already greatly missed.

The New York Times

Bon Voyage It's au revoir but not goodbye to the New York Philharmonic.

The New York Times

Bon voyage," he said, with a weary French inflection, drifting past us through the door.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bon Voyage (0800 316 3012; bon-voyage.co.uk) has a 12-night self-drive trip along the route from £1,795pp.

Independent

Bon voyage – or as they say in Finland: Hyvää matkaa!

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the recipient: While "Bon voyage" is generally appropriate, ensure it aligns with their cultural background and relationship with you. For example, use "Safe travels" or "Have a good trip" if not sure about their knowledge of French.

Common error

Avoid using "Bon voyage" in situations where a simple "Goodbye" or "See you later" suffices. It is best suited for departures involving significant travel, not everyday farewells.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Bon voyage" functions primarily as an interjection, used to express good wishes to someone who is about to undertake a journey. As Ludwig AI underlines, it directly conveys a sentiment of wishing someone a pleasant and safe trip, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Bon voyage" is a French phrase adopted into English, functioning as an interjection to wish someone a pleasant trip. As the Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It is generally appropriate for significant journeys and less so for routine departures. While it conveys goodwill and positive anticipation, alternative phrases like "have a good trip" or "safe travels" may be more suitable in informal settings. "Bon voyage" appears frequently in news and media sources, and it is important to use it in contexts where it adds elegance and international flavor without sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Have a good trip

A general and versatile way to wish someone well on their travels.

Safe travels

Emphasizes safety during the journey.

Have a safe journey

Similar to 'safe travels', but slightly more formal.

Enjoy your trip

Focuses on the enjoyable aspects of the travel experience.

Farewell

A more formal and traditional way to say goodbye and wish someone well.

Godspeed

An archaic term wishing someone success and safety, often on a long journey.

Adieu

A French term (similar to "Bon voyage") expressing a fond farewell, though sometimes implying a more permanent separation.

Best wishes for your journey

A formal and heartfelt way to express good luck and positive expectations for the trip.

Have fun

A casual way to wish someone enjoyment, applicable to a variety of situations including travel.

Hyvää matkaa

Finnish equivalent of bon voyage, more appropriate if the receiver knows Finnish.

FAQs

How do you properly use "Bon voyage" in a sentence?

"Bon voyage" is typically used as an interjection to wish someone a pleasant journey. For example, you might say, "As you embark on your European adventure, "bon voyage"!"

What's a less formal alternative to "Bon voyage"?

If you're looking for something less formal, you could use phrases like "have a good trip" or "safe travels".

Is "Bon voyage" appropriate for all types of trips?

"Bon voyage" is most appropriate for significant journeys, such as overseas travel or long trips. It may sound overly formal for short or routine trips; in those cases, a simple "goodbye" is sufficient.

What is the origin of the phrase "Bon voyage"?

"Bon voyage" is a French phrase that literally translates to "good journey". It has been adopted into English to wish someone well on their travels.