Remplacer les résolutions par des habitudes durables

What does “bon courage” mean in French?

Bon courage looks like “good courage,” but French speakers use it to say “you can do it” or “keep going.” You say it when a task is hard and needs effort — a long workday, studying, building a new habit. For luck-based things like a lottery or a game, you say bonne chance instead. Bon courage is about willpower, not luck.

The speaker closes his video about building new habits with “Bon courage et bonne année” — “keep going, and happy new year.” It fits perfectly because the whole video is about daily effort, not chance. The word courage here does not mean “bravery.” It means the energy and willpower to keep going. So bon courage wishes someone the strength to get through something hard. The contrast with bonne chance is the key thing to remember. Use bonne chance (“good luck”) when the result depends on luck: a game, a bet, a draw. Use bon courage when the result depends on effort: “Tu as un examen demain ? Bon courage !” (“You have a test tomorrow? You can do it!”). You will also hear it said warmly to a worker, a student, or anyone facing a long, tiring task.