bienvenue

French

Etymology

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

Interjection sense #2 is a recent semantic loan from English you're welcome found only in Canada; English “you’re welcome” dates from early 20th century, French Canadian usage correspondingly later.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bjɛ̃.v(ə).ny/

• audio

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Noun

bienvenue f (plural bienvenues)

1. welcome

   Mesdames et messieurs, je vous souhaite la bienvenue.

   Ladies and gentlemen, I bid you welcome.

Derived terms

• bienvenue au club
• prime de bienvenue

Interjection

bienvenue

1. welcome!

   Bienvenue à Paris! ― Welcome to Paris!

   Bienvenue dans la maison. ― Welcome to the house.

2. (Canada) you're welcome (as an answer to thank you)

   Merci pour le party! — Bienvenue.

   Thanks for the party! — You're welcome.

Adjective

bienvenue

1. feminine singular of bienvenu

Further reading

• “bienvenue”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Sango

Etymology

From French bienvenue (“welcome”).

Interjection

bienvenue

1. welcome