bienvenue

French

Etymology

From Old French bienvenue; literally bien (“well”) +‎ venue (“come, coming”); compare also bienvenu (without the -e). Presumably a calque of an Old Frankish term, from Proto-Germanic *weljakwumô (“a welcome guest or arrival”), from which many modern Germanic forms descend, as English welcome.

Sense “you’re welcome” is recent, due to influence from English; English “you’re welcome” dates from early 20th century, French usage correspondingly later.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bjɛ̃v.ny/, X-SAMPA: /bjE~v.ny/

• audio

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Noun

bienvenue f (plural bienvenues)

1. welcome

Interjection

bienvenue

1. welcome!

   Bienvenue à Paris!

   Welcome to Paris!

2. (Quebec) you're welcome (answer to thank you)

Adjective

bienvenue

1. feminine form of bienvenu