Saying goodbye in another language can feel tricky, but if you’re wondering how to say bye in French, you’re in the right place.
Think of this as your personal mini-lesson where everything is explained in simple words so you can start speaking with confidence today.
By the end, you’ll know the best casual, polite, and fun ways to say farewell—plus when and how to use them. Ready to sound more French?
Let’s jump in! ✨
The Most Common Way to Say Bye in French | “Au revoir”
Pronunciation
Oh ruh-vwar
When to use it
Use au revoir in almost any situation—formal or informal. It’s the safest and most universal goodbye in French.
Example
- Au revoir, à demain !
Bye, see you tomorrow!
Casual Ways to Say Bye
1. Salut 👋
Pronunciation: Sah-loo
This is the casual superstar. It means both hi and bye, just like “hey” in English.
Use it with: friends, siblings, classmates, coworkers.
Example:
“Salut, je rentre chez moi !” (Bye, I’m heading home!)
2. À plus / À plus tard
Pronunciation: Ah ploos / Ah ploos tar
Think of it as “see you later”.
Use it when: you expect to meet again soon.
Example:
“À plus, on se texte plus tard !”
(See you later, we’ll text again!)
3. Ciao
Pronunciation: Chow
Borrowed from Italian but very common in spoken French.
Use it with: friends or casual settings only.
Polite and Formal Ways to Say Bye
1. Bonne journée / Bonne soirée
Pronunciation: Bun zhor-nay / Bun swah-ray
Just like in English when you say “Have a nice day”.
Use it with: customers, teachers, elders, office settings.
Example
“Bonne soirée, monsieur.”
(Have a nice evening, sir.)
2. À bientôt
Pronunciation: Ah byan-toh
Means “see you soon”.
Use when: you genuinely expect to meet again.
Cute or Warm Goodbyes
1. Bisous / Gros bisous
Pronunciation: Bee-zoo / Groh bee-zoo
A warm, affectionate farewell—like saying “kisses”.
Use it with: close friends, partners, or family members.
Cultural Note | The French Love Warm Goodbyes
In France, saying goodbye is a moment—not a quick exit. Whether it’s a friendly bisous or a polite bonne journée, French speakers often soften the farewell with warmth or respect. It’s part of the culture’s emphasis on connection and courtesy.
Follow Up Phrases to Use After Saying Bye
Just like in English, you often add a little extra line after the main goodbye. Here are some helpful ones:
- À demain — See you tomorrow
- À la prochaine — Until next time
- Prends soin de toi — Take care
- On se parle bientôt — Talk soon
- Bon week-end — Have a good weekend
Mini Vocabulary Table for Quick Learning 📘
| French Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| Au revoir | oh ruh-vwar | Goodbye |
| Salut | sah-loo | Hi/Bye (casual) |
| À plus | ah ploos | See you later |
| À bientôt | ah byan-toh | See you soon |
| Bonne journée | bun zhor-nay | Have a nice day |
| Bisous | bee-zoo | Kisses / affectionate bye |
| Ciao | chow | Bye (informal) |
Conclusion
Learning how to say bye in French opens the door to sounding friendly, confident, and culturally aware. Now you know the casual, formal, and fun versions that French speakers actually use every day. Try practicing a few of these out loud. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel. Bonne chance—and à bientôt! 🌟
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