Why French People often say “Bon courage” at Christmas
The everyday French expression bon courage can surprise English speakers. If someone wished you bon courage at Christmas, you might pause and wonder why courage is needed for a festive season.
“Good luck… with what exactly?”
And yet in France, hearing bon courage said alongside the festive joyeux Noël and joyeuses fêtes in December is completely normal. It is an expression you will hear again and again, often from people who care about you.
It might be said at the end of a phone call, written in a message, or offered with a small smile as you head off to a family gathering.
Far from being pessimistic, bon courage is actually one of the most thoughtful and realistic things a French person can say.
What bon courage really means
This French expression bon courage reflects a cultural comfort with effort, honesty, and shared experience.
Literally, bon courage means “good courage”.
But in everyday French, this expression is not dramatic or heavy. It is practical.
It is used when someone has something to get through, something that may take energy, patience, or emotional effort.
Christmas often involves all of that.
Long meals. Long conversations. Family dynamics. Expectations. Travel. Hosting.
So when someone wishes you bon courage, they are recognising the effort involved without making a fuss about it.
Why Christmas needs courage in France
Christmas in France is rarely rushed.
Meals are long, and sitting down usually means staying put for hours.
Conversation matters. People talk properly. Opinions are shared. Stories are told. Food is discussed in detail and often at length.
This is not meant to feel stressful. It is meant to feel full.
So wishing someone bon courage is not a warning. It is simply an acknowledgement that Christmas asks something of you, and that you are capable of meeting it.
When you will hear “bon courage”
You might hear bon courage said:
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before travelling to see family
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before hosting a big Christmas meal
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before spending several days together
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or when the house is full, and the fridge is even fuller
It is often said lightly, sometimes with humour, but always with understanding.
What “bon courage” is not
The expression bon courage is not:
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sarcastic
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gloomy
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or a suggestion that something will go wrong
It does not mean “this will be awful”.
It means “this will take energy, and you have it”.
Why English speakers often misread this expression
In English, Christmas language often focuses on ease and enjoyment.
Relax. Enjoy. Make memories.
French culture does not ignore the effort involved in bringing people together. It simply names it, and in doing so, offers quiet support rather than pressure.
Once you understand this, hearing bon courage at Christmas feels much warmer and more human.
Can you say “bon courage” yourself?
Yes, you can.
You can use bon courage with:
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a French friend hosting Christmas
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someone travelling long distances
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someone juggling family commitments
Used in the right context, it sounds natural, warm, and very French.
Just remember that it is about effort, not celebration, so timing matters.
Bon courage… et joyeuses fêtes
If your Christmas feels joyful, tiring, complicated, delicious, emotional, or a mixture of all of those things, you are not doing it wrong.
And if someone wishes you bon courage, take it as it is meant.
With kindness.
And if learning French feels a bit like that too…
If learning French sometimes feels like it takes courage, patience, and the willingness to keep going even when things feel imperfect, you are very much not alone.
This week, Judith and I have been teaching our final Speech Bubble sessions of the year, and we have received some of those messages that make us stop, smile, and feel quietly proud.
Messages about confidence growing.
About things finally clicking.
About those little lightbulb moments where French starts to feel more manageable and more yours.
And honestly, we would love you to have that experience too.
As we head towards January 2026, our Speech Bubble French language classes are nearly full. Most groups are already booked up, but there are currently a small number of rare, gold-dust spaces left across a few levels, in both my groups and Judith’s.
These are:
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online group classes on Zoom
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friendly, structured, and supportive
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designed to help you build confidence step by step, without pressure
There is something very satisfying about going into the holiday break knowing your French plans are already in place, rather than promising yourself you will start “someday”.
If you would like to find out whether there is space at your level, simply comment below or get in touch, and we will happily talk you through the options and find the right fit.
Bon courage… et à très bientôt !
Frannie x
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