How to Say Goodbye in French: 11 Ways to Say It Like a Native

Goodbyes are inevitable. Whether you’ll be away for a short time or for the long haul, there are different precise ways to express your goodbye. But how do you say goodbye in French? In this article, we’ll go through the different ways to do that.

This is the classic French goodbye that you probably know already. You can use this in most situations, whether formal or casual. It means “till we see each other again”.

But if you’re looking for other---more interesting--ways to say goodbye, check out the rest of the list below!

This goodbye is a bit grim. It literally means, “to God” and it sounds quite antiquated when you use it. Still, you can use this in cases when the goodbye is quite final or you’re sure you’re never going to see each other again.

You can also say it jokingly to a buddy who’s facing something potentially horrible (like being called to a manager’s office or called for “The Talk” with the wife or girlfriend). If the above mentioned scenarios aren’t present, then steer clear of this type of goodbye in French.

À bientôt can be used either formally or informally, when you know you’ll be seeing the other person again soon.

Going to be separated for a few hours only? Say “À très bientôt”. See you very soon.

If you’re planning to see the other person tomorrow, this is how to say goodbye.

These French greetings could also be used as a formal way to say goodbye when you’re about to part ways with someone depending on the time of the day.

Say bonne journée when you’re saying goodbye during the day, bonne après-midi in the afternoon, and bonne soirée in the evening.

The greetings mentioned above are mostly used in formal settings. In a very polite society like France, be mindful of using formal goodbyes with people you are still in vous terms with (See also: When to Use Tu vs. Vous in France).

Now when you’re with good friends, it’s a different story altogether. You don't have to be too formal around them anymore. Loosen up! Here are some informal ways to say goodbye in French.

You already know that “salut” means hi. But here, we're talking about how you can also use it to say bye in French. It’s very casual though, and is mostly used among very tight friends or teens.

If you wanna say goodbye to someone but you’re not sure when when you’ll be seeing him or her again, say “À la prochaine”.

This one is for when you’ll be seeing each other shortly. For example, you’re having lunch with someone but you need to step out quickly to buy something before you meet up again for coffee. Say “À tout de suite”. See you in a short while!

If you’re sure you’ll be seeing someone later that day, let’s say, you’re planning to meet up for apéro, say “À tout à l’heure”. See you later today.

Another way to say “see you later”, you’ll see this one often abbreviated by the French as A+ in text messages, emails, or chat.

See more: 61 French Text Slang and Instant Messaging Shortcuts 

You can also simply say “à plus”, the shorter version of see you later.

Confused why this one’s included in the list? Don’t be! Ciao, the Italian way to say hi and goodbye, is also used often in France and Quebec. So feel free to say it in informal conversations!

Conclusion

There you have it, 11 different ways to say goodbye in French. Which one is your go-to French goodbye? Share it in the comments!

For a comprehensive list of French vocabulary, check out the French Vocabulary e-book below.