Goodbyes in French vary depending on formality, context, and how long until the next meeting. This guide covers common phrases for parting ways politely or casually, plus examples for real-life use.
Common Goodbye Phrases
Common French goodbyes include au revoir, adieu, à bientôt, and salut. Each signals a different level of formality or expectation for meeting again.
| French Goodbye | Usage | Example Sentence | Translation | Notes | Example Conversation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au revoir | Formal/informal, standard goodbye when parting ways. | Au revoir, à demain ! | Goodbye, see you tomorrow! | Most safe and neutral farewell. | A: Merci pour tout. B: Au revoir ! |
| Adieu | Very formal, implies long or permanent farewell. | Ils ont dit adieu à leur village. | They said farewell to their village. | Rare in daily life; more literary or serious. | A: Je pars pour toujours. B: Adieu. |
| À bientôt | Informal/formal, means “see you soon.” | À bientôt sur les réseaux sociaux ! | See you soon on social media! | Used when you expect to meet again soon. | A: Je dois filer, à bientôt ! B: Oui, prends soin de toi. |
| Salut (as goodbye) | Informal, among friends or young people. | Salut, à plus ! | Bye, see ya! | Used for casual quick goodbyes. | A: Salut, je dois y aller. B: À plus tard ! |
| À plus (À plus tard) | Very informal, means “see you later.” | À plus, je pars au boulot. | See you later, I’m going to work. | Common among teens and friends. | A: Je termine à 18h. B: OK, à plus ! |
Parting with Time References
Adding time references specifies when you’ll see someone again, making goodbyes more natural. Common phrases include à demain, à tout à l’heure, and à lundi.
| French Goodbye | Usage | Example Sentence | Translation | Notes | Example Conversation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| À demain | Informal/formal, means “see you tomorrow.” | On finit à 17h, à demain ! | We finish at 5 p.m., see you tomorrow! | Used when you’ll meet the next day. | A: Salut, à demain ! B: D’accord, bonne soirée. |
| À tout à l’heure | Informal/formal, “see you in a little while.” | Je reviens vite, à tout à l’heure. | I’ll be back soon, see you shortly. | Use within the same day, for short absences. | A: Je sors une minute. B: OK, à tout à l’heure. |
| À lundi (or any day) | Informal/formal, “see you on Monday.” | Bon week-end, à lundi ! | Have a good weekend, see you Monday! | Substitute any weekday as needed. | A: Fin du boulot ! B: Super, à lundi. |
Final Polite Expressions
French often adds polite phrases at the end of goodbyes, especially in formal emails, calls, or meetings. Examples include bonne journée, bonne soirée, and prenez soin de vous.
| French Expression | Usage | Example Sentence | Translation | Notes | Example Conversation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonne journée | Formal/informal, “have a good day.” | Merci pour votre aide, bonne journée ! | Thanks for your help, have a good day! | Common in daytime farewells. | A: Au revoir ! B: Bonne journée à vous. |
| Bonne soirée | Formal/informal, “have a good evening.” | Je vous souhaite une bonne soirée. | I wish you a good evening. | Used in the late afternoon or evening. | A: Je dois y aller. B: Bonne soirée ! |
| Bonne nuit | Informal, used when parting before bedtime. | Bonne nuit, dors bien ! | Good night, sleep well! | Typically said at home or close relationships. | A: Je vais me coucher. B: Bonne nuit ! |
| Prenez soin de vous | Formal, “take care of yourself.” | Prenez soin de vous en ces temps difficiles. | Take care of yourself in these difficult times. | Used in polite or concerned contexts. | A: Au revoir, à bientôt. B: Prenez soin de vous. |
| Salut (as parting word) | Informal, friendly “bye.” | Salut, à demain ! | Bye, see you tomorrow! | Can start or end a conversation among friends. | A: Bon, faut y aller. B: Salut ! |
Which French phrase means 'Have a good day' and is often used in both formal and informal farewells?
Bonne journée
“Bonne journée” is a courteous way to wish someone a good day when parting, regardless of formality.
Parting with Group or Plural Forms
When saying goodbye to multiple people or groups, French uses plural forms of pronouns and verbs. Common plural goodbyes include au revoir à tous, à bientôt tout le monde, and salut les amis.
| French Goodbye | Usage | Example Sentence | Translation | Notes | Example Conversation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au revoir à tous | Formal/informal plural, “goodbye everyone.” | Au revoir à tous et merci ! | Goodbye everyone and thank you! | Useful in meetings or group settings. | A: C’était super, au revoir à tous ! B: À la prochaine ! |
| À bientôt tout le monde | Informal plural, “see you soon everyone.” | Bon travail, à bientôt tout le monde ! | Good work, see you soon everyone! | Friendly farewell in teams or classes. | A: Finissons ici. B: À bientôt tout le monde ! |
| Salut les amis | Informal plural, “bye friends.” | Salut les amis, je file ! | Bye friends, I’m off! | Casual, among close friends or peers. | A: On se retrouve demain ? B: Salut les amis ! |
| Bonne soirée à vous tous | Formal plural, “good evening to you all.” | Je vous souhaite une bonne soirée à vous tous. | I wish you all a good evening. | Polite closing in group emails or meetings. | A: Merci à tous, bonne soirée à vous tous ! B: Merci, bonne soirée ! |
How would you say 'Good evening to you all' in a formal group setting in French?
Bonne soirée à vous tous
“Bonne soirée à vous tous” is a polite closing used in formal group contexts.
How do you say 'Goodbye everyone!' in French when speaking to a group?
Au revoir à tous !
“Au revoir à tous” is the standard way to say 'Goodbye everyone,' using the plural 'tous.'
Cultural Notes on French Goodbyes
French goodbyes are often accompanied by la bise (cheek kissing) in social settings or a polite handshake in professional contexts. The number of kisses varies by region.
| Custom | Description | Context | Example | Notes | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La bise | Cheek kissing on both cheeks (usually two) | Friends, family, acquaintances | On fait la bise avant de se dire au revoir. | Not universal; some regions do three or four kisses. | If unsure, wait to see what others do or just say au revoir. |
| Handshake | Formal, brief handshake | Business meetings, formal events | On serre la main avant de partir. | Common in offices and with unfamiliar adults. | Use a firm but brief handshake, without lingering. |
| Saying names | Repeating the person’s name during goodbye | Any setting | Au revoir, Sophie, à demain ! | Adds warmth and attention in conversation. | Use this to personalize farewells politely. |
| Parting words | Saying a few more polite words before leaving | Formal and informal | Merci encore, bonne journée ! | Shows gratitude and respect at the end. | Include a “bonne journée” or “bonne soirée” as appropriate. |
These customs help make farewells smoother and more respectful in French culture.
French goodbyes range from the simple au revoir to more nuanced phrases like à bientôt and prenez soin de vous. Adjust your choice based on formality, time until next meeting, and the relationship between speakers. Adding a polite phrase or time reference makes your farewell sound natural and considerate.
Flashcards (1 of 17)
- Usage: Formal/informal, standard goodbye when parting ways.
- Example Sentence: Au revoir, à demain !
- Translation: Goodbye, see you tomorrow!
- Notes: Most safe and neutral farewell.
- Example Conversation: A: Merci pour tout. B: Au revoir !
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
