Meilleurs vœux !

Holiday French Expression

Meilleurs voeux !
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Meaning Best wishes, Happy holidays
Literally Best wishes
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Pronunciation French sound files [may yeur veu]
IPA   [me jœr vø]

Usage notes: Meilleurs vœux has both general and specific meanings, depending on how and especially when it’s used.

In a get-well card

Meilleurs vœux is commonly used to wish someone well after illness or an accident.

Par exemple…

Meilleurs vœux pour une guérison complète.   Best wishes for a complete recovery, Get well soon.
Nos meilleurs vœux de prompt rétablissement.   Our best wishes for a speedy recovery, Get well soon.

At the end of a letter

Meilleurs vœux may be used on its own or, more commonly, as part of a formula.

Par exemple…

Nous vous adressons nos meilleurs vœux.   With our best wishes, Please accept our best wishes.
Je vous envoie toutes mes félicitations à l’occasion de la naissance de votre fils, et lui adresse mes meilleurs vœux de santé et de bonheur.   My congratulations to you on the birth of your son, and my best wishes to him for health and happiness.

In December

Meilleurs vœux is an all-purpose expression like "happy holidays" or "season’s greetings":

Par exemple…

Meilleurs vœux !   Season’s greetings! Happy holidays!
Nos meilleurs vœux pour la saison des Fêtes   Our best wishes for the holiday season

In January

Meilleurs vœux is also used in assorted formulas to wish someone a happy new year:

Par exemple…

Je vous présente mes meilleurs voeux pour la nouvelle année.   I offer you my best wishes for the new year.
Recevez nos meilleurs vœux de bonheur pour la nouvelle année.   Please accept our best wishes for joy in the new year.

French holiday expressions

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Meilleurs voeux!

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3 Responses

  1. Johnny04 7 September 2017 / 0:11

    When someone calls you or texts you to say they can’t meet you today because they’re sick, do you say “meilleurs voeux” or is there another phrase for “hope you feel better,” “get well soon”?

    • lkl 15 September 2017 / 7:57

      Bonjour Johnny,

      Yes, you can say meilleurs vœux de prompt rétablissement for example, or je vous souhaite un prompt rétablissement, or even just meilleure santé.

  2. Faux Frenchie 2 December 2014 / 16:02

    I also often hear “Tous mes vœux” in informal contexts.

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