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
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 Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Au revoir | Goodbye | “oh ruh-vwah” |
À tout à l’heure | See you later | “ah toot ah luhr” |
Bonne journée | Have a good day | “bohn zhoor-nay” |
Ciao | Bye (informal, Italian) | “chow” |
Bon voyage | Have a good trip | “bohn vwah-yahzh” |
À lundi | See you on Monday | “ah lun-dee” |
À ce soir | See you tonight | “ah suh swahr” |
À la semaine prochaine | See you next week | “ah lah suh-mehn proh-shen” |
À tout de suite | See you in a moment | “ah toot duh sweet” |
On se revoit bientôt | See you soon | “ohn suh ruh-vwah byehn-toh” |
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 Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Adieu | Goodbye (final farewell) | [ah-dyuh] |
Bonne soirée | Have a good evening | [bohn swah-ray] |
À bientôt | See you soon | [ah byahn-toh] |
À la prochaine | Until next time | [ah lah proh-shen] |
Au plaisir | With pleasure / See you again soon | [oh pleh-zeer] |
Prenez soin de vous | Take care of yourself | [preh-nay swahn duh voo] |
Je vous souhaite une bonne journée | I wish you a good day | [zhuh voo swet oon bohn zhoor-nay] |
Mes salutations distinguées | Yours sincerely (formal closing) | [meh sah-lu-tah-syohn dis-tang-gay] |
Je vous dis au revoir | I bid you farewell | [zhuh voo dee oh ruh-vwahr] |
À une prochaine fois | See you another time | [ah oon proh-shen fwah] |
Veuillez agréer mes salutations | Please accept my greetings (formal) | [vuh-yay ah-gray-ay meh sah-lu-tah-syohn] |
Bonne continuation | Best of luck moving forward | [bohn kon-teen-yoo-ah-syohn] |
Passez une agréable soirée | Have a pleasant evening | [pah-say oon ah-gray-ah-bluh swah-ray] |
Avec mes meilleures salutations | With my best regards | [ah-vek meh may-yuh sah-lu-tah-syohn] |
En espérant vous revoir bientôt | Hoping 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 Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Salut | Hi / Hello | Sah-loo |
Tchao | Bye | Chow |
Bye | Bye | Bye |
À demain | See you tomorrow | Ah duh-mah |
À tout | See you soon | Ah too |
À plus dans le bus | See you later (informal) | Ah ploo dahn luh boos |
À une prochaine | Until next time | Ah oon pro-shen |
On se capte | We’ll catch up | On suh capt |
On se voit plus tard | See you later | On suh vwah ploo tahr |
Je file | I’m off | Zhuh feel |
Bon vent | Farewell / Good riddance | Bon vahn |
Fais gaffe à toi | Take care of yourself | Feh 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 Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Salut | Hi / Hello | Sah-loo |
Tchao | Bye | Chow |
Bye | Bye | Bye |
À demain | See you tomorrow | Ah duh-mah |
À tout | See you soon | Ah too |
À plus dans le bus | See you later (informal) | Ah ploo dahn luh boos |
À une prochaine | Until next time | Ah oon pro-shen |
On se capte | We’ll catch up | On suh capt |
On se voit plus tard | See you later | On suh vwah ploo tahr |
Je file | I’m off | Zhuh feel |
Bon vent | Farewell / Good riddance | Bon vahn |
Fais gaffe à toi | Take care of yourself | Feh 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.