1. The Classic Farewell: Au revoir
Au revoir is the most standard way to say goodbye in French. It literally means “until we see each other again” and can be used in almost any situation, formal or informal. Whether you are leaving a shop, ending a conversation with a colleague, or saying goodbye to a new acquaintance, au revoir is always appropriate.
2. Informal Goodbyes: Salut
Salut is a casual way to say both “hello” and “goodbye” among friends, family members, or people your own age. It’s best avoided in formal settings or when speaking to someone you don’t know well, but it’s perfect for friendly, everyday interactions.
3. See You Soon: À bientôt
If you plan to see someone again soon, you can say à bientôt, which means “see you soon.” This phrase is flexible and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a friendly way to end a conversation.
4. See You Later: À plus (À plus tard)
À plus tard translates to “see you later.” Among friends, this is often shortened to à plus or even just à+ in text messages. Use this when you expect to see someone later the same day or soon after.
5. Until Next Time: À la prochaine
À la prochaine means “until next time.” It’s commonly used when you don’t know exactly when you’ll see the person again, but you expect it will happen at some point. It’s suitable for both formal and informal situations.
6. Good Night: Bonne nuit
When it’s late and you’re parting ways for the night, say bonne nuit (“good night”). This is typically used with family, friends, or close acquaintances, not in a formal business context.
7. Have a Good Day/Evening: Bonne journée / Bonne soirée
Wishing someone a good day (bonne journée) or good evening (bonne soirée) is a polite way to say goodbye, especially in shops, restaurants, or workplaces. Use bonne journée during the daytime and bonne soirée in the evening.
8. Take Care: Prends soin de toi / Porte-toi bien
To show extra care, you might say prends soin de toi (“take care of yourself”) or, more formally, portez-vous bien. These are thoughtful ways to say goodbye, especially if someone is going through a tough time or if you won’t see them for a while.
9. Bye: Ciao / Bye
French speakers sometimes borrow the Italian word ciao or the English bye, especially among young people and in informal settings. These are casual and should be reserved for friends or peers.
10. Regional Goodbyes
France is rich with regional languages and dialects, so you might hear unique goodbyes in different areas. For instance, in southern France, people often say adieu, which literally means “to God” and is usually reserved for very long goodbyes or when someone is leaving for a long time.
Tips for Choosing the Right Goodbye
- Consider the level of formality. Use au revoir in formal situations and salut with friends.
- Think about when you’ll see the person next. À bientôt or à plus tard are great if you’ll meet again soon.
- Adjust for time of day. Use bonne nuit at night and bonne journée or bonne soirée during the day or evening.
- Don’t be afraid to use borrowed words like ciao or bye in casual company.
Practice Saying Goodbye in French with Talkpal
Mastering different ways to say goodbye in French will make your conversations smoother and more natural. On Talkpal’s AI language learning blog, you’ll find more tips, pronunciation guides, and interactive tools to help you practice farewells and much more. Keep experimenting with these phrases until they become second nature, and you’ll be well on your way to sounding like a native French speaker!
