German goodbyes vary from formal farewells like “Auf Wiedersehen” to casual ones like “Tschüss.” Learning these will help you end conversations politely in any setting.
Common German Goodbyes
These are the most frequently used German goodbyes, suitable for different contexts from formal to casual.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Auf Wiedersehen | Goodbye (formal) |
| Tschüss | Bye (casual) |
| Bis bald | See you soon |
| Bis später | See you later |
| Bis dann | See you then |
| Gute Nacht | Good night |
| Servus | Bye (Bavarian/Austrian) |
| Ciao | Bye (informal, borrowed from Italian) |
| Mach’s gut | Take care (informal) |
| Auf Wiederhören | Goodbye (on the phone) |
Which German phrase means 'Take care' in an informal way?
Mach’s gut
'Mach’s gut' is an informal way to say 'Take care.' 'Auf Wiedersehen' is a formal goodbye, 'Wie geht’s' means 'How are you,' and 'Gute Reise' means 'Have a good trip.'
Farewells in Different Contexts
Goodbyes can change depending on where you are and who you’re speaking with.
Formal Situations
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Auf Wiedersehen | Goodbye |
| Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag | I wish you a nice day |
| Auf Wiederhören | Goodbye (on the phone) |
| Einen schönen Abend noch | Have a nice evening |
| Es hat mich gefreut | It was nice meeting you |
| Danke und auf Wiedersehen | Thank you and goodbye |
| Ich verabschiede mich | I take my leave |
| Wir sehen uns morgen | We’ll see each other tomorrow |
| Passen Sie gut auf sich auf | Take good care of yourself |
| Bis zum nächsten Mal | Until next time |
Informal Situations
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Tschüss | Bye |
| Bis bald | See you soon |
| Bis später | See you later |
| Mach’s gut | Take care |
| Ciao | Bye |
| Tschau | Bye (informal) |
| Hab einen schönen Tag | Have a nice day |
| Wir sehen uns | See you |
| Bis dann | See you then |
| Pass auf dich auf | Take care |
How would you informally say 'Bye' in German among friends?
Tschüss
'Tschüss' is a common informal way to say 'Bye.' 'Auf Wiedersehen' is formal, 'Bis dann' means 'See you then,' and 'Mach’s gut' means 'Take care.'
Saying Goodbye on the Phone
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Auf Wiederhören | Goodbye (on the phone) |
| Ich melde mich später | I’ll get in touch later |
| Danke für Ihren Anruf | Thank you for your call |
| Einen schönen Tag noch | Have a nice day |
| Bis dann | See you then |
| Wir sprechen uns | We’ll talk |
| Tschüss | Bye |
| Alles Gute | All the best |
| Ich muss jetzt auflegen | I have to hang up now |
| Meld dich! | Get in touch! (informal) |
Regional Variations
Some goodbyes are more common in certain parts of the German-speaking world. Here are a few examples:
| German | Region | English |
|---|---|---|
| Servus | Bavaria, Austria | Bye |
| Baba | Bavaria | Bye (very informal) |
| Pfiat di | Bavaria, Austria | Goodbye (take care) |
| Ciao | Everywhere (informal) | Bye |
| Tschö | Rhineland | Bye |
| Ade | Swabia, Switzerland | Goodbye |
Parting Phrases and Take Care Expressions
These add a nice touch to your farewells.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Mach’s gut | Take care |
| Pass auf dich auf | Take care of yourself |
| Alles Gute | All the best |
| Viel Erfolg | Much success |
| Schönen Tag noch | Have a nice day |
| Gute Reise | Have a good trip |
| Bis bald, bleib gesund | See you soon, stay healthy |
| Ich wünsche dir alles Gute | I wish you all the best |
| Erhol dich gut | Get some rest |
| Lass es dir gut gehen | Take care of yourself |
Conclusion
Now you know how to say goodbye in German in various situations—formal, informal, by phone, and regionally. These phrases will help you end conversations politely and naturally.
- Auf Wiedersehen for formal goodbyes
- Tschüss for casual farewells
- Use Bis bald or Bis später to indicate you’ll see someone again
- Callers say Auf Wiederhören when ending phone conversations
- Regional farewells like Servus and Pfiat di add local flavor
Flashcards (1 of 56)
- English: Goodbye (formal)
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
