Goodbye in French

au revoir

(goodbye)

If you are looking for how to say “goodbye” in French or need to use parting expressions in conversation, travel, or formal settings, here are the correct terms and common phrases.

The French word for goodbye

The standard French word for goodbye is au revoir. It works in both formal and informal contexts.

• au revoir = goodbye

• à bientôt = see you soon

Example:

• Au revoir et à demain !
  (Goodbye and see you tomorrow!)

Informal ways to say goodbye

Salut

Used casually to mean both “hi” and “bye” among friends or people you know well.

• Salut !
  (Bye!)

Ciao

Borrowed from Italian, this is an informal and friendly way to say goodbye.

• Ciao !

Other common farewell phrases

• à plus tard = see you later

• à tout à l’heure = see you shortly

• à la prochaine = until next time

• bonne journée = have a good day

• bonne soirée = have a good evening

• bonne nuit = good night (only before going to bed)

Formal and polite expressions

• je vous dis au revoir = I bid you goodbye

• au plaisir de vous revoir = I look forward to seeing you again

• merci et au revoir = thank you and goodbye

These are used in business, customer service, or formal conversations.

10 usage examples with translations

1. Au revoir, à demain !
   —Goodbye, see you tomorrow!

2. Salut, on se voit ce week-end ?
   —Bye, see you this weekend?

3. Bonne soirée à tous, au revoir !
   —Have a good evening, goodbye everyone!

4. Ciao, merci pour tout !
   —Bye, thanks for everything!

5. À plus tard, je dois y aller.
   —See you later, I have to go.

6. Je vous souhaite une bonne journée. Au revoir !
   —I wish you a good day. Goodbye!

7. Ils se sont dit au revoir après le dîner.
   —They said goodbye after dinner.

8. À la prochaine, prends soin de toi.
   —Until next time, take care.

9. Bonne nuit, à demain matin.
   —Good night, see you tomorrow morning.

10. Merci de votre visite, au plaisir de vous revoir.
    —Thank you for your visit, we look forward to seeing you again.