Learning to say goodbye in Chinese goes beyond just memorizing words. It’s key for anyone who wants to communicate well in Mandarin. Saying farewell properly wraps up conversations neatly. It leaves everyone feeling respected and connected.
If you’re just starting, knowing when to use different goodbyes is essential. This understanding prevents awkward moments and builds stronger relationships. In Chinese culture, how you say goodbye shows your respect and thoughtfulness. Each farewell means more than just its words. They carry hopes for safety, success, or health.
Examples of goodbye
Why stick to just one way of saying goodbye when Mandarin has so many options? For quick goodbyes with friends, you can use 再见 (zài jiàn), which means “see you again.” It’s easy and familiar. But if you’re saying bye to a coworker or someone you won’t see for a while, 拜拜 (bài bài), which is similar to the English “bye-bye,” works well in a more casual setting.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 再见 | zài jiàn | Goodbye |
| 拜拜 | bài bài | Bye-bye |
| 回头见 | huí tóu jiàn | See you later |
| 下次见 | xià cì jiàn | See you next time |
| 明天见 | míng tiān jiàn | See you tomorrow |
| 晚安 | wǎn ān | Good night |
| 祝你好运 | zhù nǐ hǎo yùn | Wish you good luck |
| 一路顺风 | yī lù shùn fēng | Safe travels |
| 保重 | bǎo zhòng | Take care |
| 多保重 | duō bǎo zhòng | Take good care |
| 下周见 | xià zhōu jiàn | See you next week |
| 以后见 | yǐ hòu jiàn | See you in the future |
| 祝你一切顺利 | zhù nǐ yī qiè shùn lì | Wishing you success |
| 期待再见 | qī dài zài jiàn | Looking forward to seeing you again |
| 祝你开心 | zhù nǐ kāi xīn | Wish you happiness |
| 祝你平安 | zhù nǐ píng ān | Wish you peace |
| 祝你健康 | zhù nǐ jiàn kāng | Wish you health |
| 慢走 | màn zǒu | Walk slowly (Take care while leaving) |
| 走好 | zǒu hǎo | Go well |
| 好好休息 | hǎo hǎo xiū xī | Have a good rest |
| 先走了 | xiān zǒu le | I’m leaving first |
| 先告辞 | xiān gào cí | I take my leave |
| 期待下次相见 | qī dài xià cì xiāng jiàn | Looking forward to seeing you next time |
| 祝你前程似锦 | zhù nǐ qián chéng sì jǐn | Wishing you a bright future |
| 祝你万事如意 | zhù nǐ wàn shì rú yì | Wishing you all the best |
| 祝你旅途愉快 | zhù nǐ lǚ tú yú kuài | Wish you a pleasant journey |
| 希望很快再见 | xī wàng hěn kuài zài jiàn | Hope to see you soon |
| 以后保持联系 | yǐ hòu bǎo chí lián xì | Keep in touch |
| 祝你工作顺利 | zhù nǐ gōng zuò shùn lì | Wish you success at work |
| 期待再会 | qī dài zài huì | Looking forward to our next meeting |
In more serious or formal situations, you might want to go deeper. 一路顺风 (yí lù shùn fēng) means “may you have a smooth journey,” and it’s perfect for someone about to travel. If you’re parting for a long time, or if it’s a heartfelt goodbye, 珍重 (zhēn zhòng), or “take care,” shows you care. Each phrase has its place, depending on how you feel and who you talk to. Knowing these differences helps you communicate better and makes your farewells more meaningful and respectful of the culture.
Find Out More: How to Say “I Love You” in Chinese: Meanings, Phrase
How To Say Goodbye In Chinese
Knowing different ways to say goodbye in Chinese can improve how you communicate and understand the culture. The simplest and most common way to say it is “再见” (zài jiàn), which means “see you again.” This works for everyday and formal goodbyes, so it’s pretty handy.
| Chengyu | Pinyin | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一别两宽 | yī bié liǎng kuān | A peaceful parting, each going their way |
| 后会有期 | hòu huì yǒu qī | We shall meet again someday |
| 天各一方 | tiān gè yī fāng | Living far apart under the same sky |
| 永诀于此 | yǒng jué yú cǐ | Farewell forever |
| 江湖再见 | jiāng hú zài jiàn | See you again in the world |
| 各奔东西 | gè bèn dōng xī | Each going their own way |
| 依依惜别 | yī yī xī bié | Reluctant to part |
| 拱手而别 | gǒng shǒu ér bié | Parting with a bow |
| 作别西天 | zuò bié xī tiān | Farewell to the western sky |
| 生离死别 | shēng lí sǐ bié | Separation as if by life and death |
| 望断天涯 | wàng duàn tiān yá | Looking endlessly towards the horizon |
| 各自珍重 | gè zì zhēn zhòng | Take care of yourself |
| 青山不改 | qīng shān bù gǎi | The green hills remain, we shall meet again |
| 白云苍狗 | bái yún cāng gǒu | The ever-changing world, farewells are inevitable |
| 远走高飞 | yuǎn zǒu gāo fēi | Go far and fly high |
| 各安天命 | gè ān tiān mìng | Each follows their fate |
| 拂袖而去 | fú xiù ér qù | Leave with a flick of the sleeve |
| 纵使相逢 | zòng shǐ xiāng féng | Even if we meet again |
| 此去经年 | cǐ qù jīng nián | It will be years before we meet again |
| 归期未定 | guī qī wèi dìng | No set date for return |
| 各怀千秋 | gè huái qiān qiū | Each with their own aspirations |
| 萍水相逢 | píng shuǐ xiāng féng | A brief meeting by fate |
| 咫尺天涯 | zhǐ chǐ tiān yá | So close, yet so far |
| 远隔千里 | yuǎn gé qiān lǐ | Separated by a thousand miles |
| 无缘再见 | wú yuán zài jiàn | No fate to meet again |
| 昨日黄花 | zuó rì huáng huā | Yesterday’s flowers have withered (things change) |
| 渺无音信 | miǎo wú yīn xìn | No news at all |
| 一去不返 | yī qù bù fǎn | Gone and never returning |
| 无奈离别 | wú nài lí bié | A helpless farewell |
| 山水有相逢 | shān shuǐ yǒu xiāng féng | Mountains and rivers will bring us together again |
If you’re saying farewell to someone who’s traveling, you can say “一路顺风” (yí lù shùn fēng), which wishes them a smooth journey. On the other hand, if you’re parting ways for a long time, maybe forever, you might use “生离死别” (shēng lí sǐ bié), which is a deeper, more serious goodbye.
In a business or formal setting, it’s good to be a bit more formal and say “告别” (gào bié). Each way of saying goodbye has its feel and fits different situations depending on who you’re talking to and why you’re saying goodbye.
Conclusion
Learning different ways to say goodbye in Chinese isn’t just about adding words to your vocabulary—it’s about connecting deeper with the culture. Phrases like “再见” (see you again), “拜拜” (bye-bye), “一路顺风” (have a smooth journey), and “珍重” (take care) are used in various situations and show respect for the people you’re speaking with. Knowing when and how to use these phrases can improve your relationships and show that you value Chinese cultural practices.
