How to Say Goodbye in French: A Language Learner’s Guide

Learning to say goodbye in French is crucial for anyone studying the language or engaging with French-speaking communities. Goodbyes are necessary—they show respect, cultural insight, and subtle feelings. In French, how you say goodbye changes based on the situation and who you’re talking to. For most situations, “Au revoir” is the go-to phrase. It works for both casual chats and formal meetings. If you’ll see someone soon, you might choose “À bientôt” instead. It’s a bit friendlier and hints that you’re looking forward to your next meeting. At the end of a workday, it’s common to say “À demain,” which means “see you tomorrow.”

Using these phrases right can improve your relationships. It shows you get French social customs. Whether wrapping up a business meeting or bumping into a friend, choosing the fitting goodbye adds a nice touch to any conversation.

How to Say Goodbye in French

How to Say Goodbye in French

Saying goodbye is an essential part of any language. In French, there are many ways to bid farewell depending on the situation. From casual chats to formal goodbyes, each phrase carries its own tone and meaning. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right expression.

French PhraseEnglish MeaningPronunciation
Au revoirGoodbye“oh ruh-vwah”
À tout à l’heureSee you later“ah toot ah luhr”
Bonne journéeHave a good day“bohn zhoor-nay”
CiaoBye (informal, Italian)“chow”
Bon voyageHave a good trip“bohn vwah-yahzh”
À lundiSee you on Monday“ah lun-dee”
À ce soirSee you tonight“ah suh swahr”
À la semaine prochaineSee you next week“ah lah suh-mehn proh-shen”
À tout de suiteSee you in a moment“ah toot duh sweet”
On se revoit bientôtSee you soon“ohn suh ruh-vwah byehn-toh”

Formal Goodbyes in French

Formal Goodbyes in French

Saying goodbye in French carries a touch of grace and respect. Whether in a formal meeting or addressing someone important, the right expression matters. Here’s a guide to polished farewells, ensuring you leave a lasting impression in professional and courteous settings.

French PhraseEnglish MeaningPronunciation
AdieuGoodbye (final farewell)[ah-dyuh]
Bonne soiréeHave a good evening[bohn swah-ray]
À bientôtSee you soon[ah byahn-toh]
À la prochaineUntil next time[ah lah proh-shen]
Au plaisirWith pleasure / See you again soon[oh pleh-zeer]
Prenez soin de vousTake care of yourself[preh-nay swahn duh voo]
Je vous souhaite une bonne journéeI wish you a good day[zhuh voo swet oon bohn zhoor-nay]
Mes salutations distinguéesYours sincerely (formal closing)[meh sah-lu-tah-syohn dis-tang-gay]
Je vous dis au revoirI bid you farewell[zhuh voo dee oh ruh-vwahr]
À une prochaine foisSee you another time[ah oon proh-shen fwah]
Veuillez agréer mes salutationsPlease accept my greetings (formal)[vuh-yay ah-gray-ay meh sah-lu-tah-syohn]
Bonne continuationBest of luck moving forward[bohn kon-teen-yoo-ah-syohn]
Passez une agréable soiréeHave a pleasant evening[pah-say oon ah-gray-ah-bluh swah-ray]
Avec mes meilleures salutationsWith my best regards[ah-vek meh may-yuh sah-lu-tah-syohn]
En espérant vous revoir bientôtHoping to see you again soon[ahn es-pair-ahn voo ruh-vwahr byahn-toh]

Informal Goodbyes in French

In casual French conversations, goodbyes are often relaxed and varied. These informal farewells reflect the friendly nature of everyday interactions. Knowing them adds charm and fluency to your French. Explore these light-hearted ways to say goodbye, perfect for friends, family, or casual acquaintances.

French PhraseEnglish MeaningPronunciation
SalutHi / HelloSah-loo
TchaoByeChow
ByeByeBye
À demainSee you tomorrowAh duh-mah
À toutSee you soonAh too
À plus dans le busSee you later (informal)Ah ploo dahn luh boos
À une prochaineUntil next timeAh oon pro-shen
On se capteWe’ll catch upOn suh capt
On se voit plus tardSee you laterOn suh vwah ploo tahr
Je fileI’m offZhuh feel
Bon ventFarewell / Good riddanceBon vahn
Fais gaffe à toiTake care of yourselfFeh gaff ah twah

Neutral Goodbyes in French

Saying goodbye doesn’t always need to be formal. In French, informal farewells bring warmth and casual charm to conversations. Whether you’re leaving a party or signing off with friends, these phrases help keep the mood light and friendly. Explore this list to find simple, neutral ways to say goodbye.

French PhraseEnglish MeaningPronunciation
SalutHi / HelloSah-loo
TchaoByeChow
ByeByeBye
À demainSee you tomorrowAh duh-mah
À toutSee you soonAh too
À plus dans le busSee you later (informal)Ah ploo dahn luh boos
À une prochaineUntil next timeAh oon pro-shen
On se capteWe’ll catch upOn suh capt
On se voit plus tardSee you laterOn suh vwah ploo tahr
Je fileI’m offZhuh feel
Bon ventFarewell / Good riddanceBon vahn
Fais gaffe à toiTake care of yourselfFeh gaff ah twah

Goodbye Expressions Borrowed from Other Languages

As we look at different ways to say goodbye in French, it’s interesting to see how the language picks up phrases from other places. Take the Italian “Ciao,” for example. It’s trendy in French conversations, especially among friends and young people. This word shows how languages mix easily, especially among neighbors in Europe. People like it because it’s easy and casual.

Then there’s the English “Bye.” You’ll hear it in French, especially with the younger crowd who watch many American movies and hang out online. Sometimes they even say “Bye-bye,” just like in English. And don’t forget the Spanish “Hasta la vista.” It’s not as expected, but when French people use it, they’re usually having fun or being dramatic. These examples show that French goodbye words have picked up some international flavor, but still keep a French touch in how they’re used.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve looked at many ways to say goodbye in French, from casual to formal, and local to borrowed phrases. You’ve seen how saying goodbye can express different feelings and fit different situations, showing the rich variety of the French language and culture. Whether you’re saying a simple “Salut” to friends or a formal “Je vous salue” in a professional setting, each phrase has its role and tells a bit about your relationship and the setting. Knowing these phrases helps you speak better and makes your interactions with French speakers more meaningful. It lets you leave a good impression, whether hanging out or in a business meeting. The key is to choose the correct phrase for the situation and who you’re talking to.

Emma Darcy

Emma Thompson has spent her life helping others learn. She has been a teacher for over ten years and loves finding new ways to make learning fun and meaningful. Emma co-founded Edmora because she wanted to create a place where everyone can learn in a way that suits them best.

View all posts by Emma Darcy

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