What is a nice saying in French when leaving people?

<div data-hveid="CBwQAQ"> <div class="dnXCYb" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-controls="_sM6NZdPVLrKLwbkPn5eTwAc_35" aria-expanded="true"> <div class="L3Ezfd" data-ved="2ahUKEwjT7eL48LKDAxWyRTABHZ_LBHgQuk56BAgcEAI">Au revoir and à la prochaine are standard farewells. À bientôt is great if you'll see that person again soon.</div> </div> </div>

How do you say goodbye in a final sense in French?

<div data-hveid="CBIQAQ"> <div class="dnXCYb" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-controls="_sM6NZdPVLrKLwbkPn5eTwAc_29" aria-expanded="true"> <div class="L3Ezfd" data-ved="2ahUKEwjT7eL48LKDAxWyRTABHZ_LBHgQuk56BAgSEAI">Adieu gives a sense of a final goodbye. Keep in mind that no one likes to express this type of goodbye. It's lasting, permanent. Adieu literally means “to God” in French.</div> </div> </div>

Saying Bye in French – Everyday Phrases You Need to Know

Saying goodbye might seem simple, but in French it comes wrapped in layers of nuance. Think of it this way: a quick “Salut !” works wonderfully when leaving a cafe with a friend, right? But you probably wouldn't use the same expression when ending an important meeting with your boss. Similarly, saying “Bonne nuit”' makes sense later in the evening but not if you use it in the office at 4.00 pm!

This guide brings together the most common French farewells, showing you how to use them in the right setting while also explaining how they're pronounced. Along the way, you'll also learn how goodbyes in French carry a lot more weight than a simple sign off - they reflect tone, respect, and even the relationship between speakers.

French Phrase	English Meaning	Formality	Audio	Phonetic Spelling (IPA-lite)
Au revoir	Goodbye	Formal/Neutral	00:00	oh ruh-VWAHR
Salut	Bye / Hi	Informal	00:00	sah-LOO
À bientôt	See you soon	Neutral	00:00	ah byan-TOH
À plus tard	See you later	Informal	00:00	ah PLOOS (tar)
Bonne journée	Have a good day	Neutral/Formal	00:00	bun zhoor-NAY
Bonne soirée	Have a good evening	Neutral/Formal	00:00	bun swah-RAY
Bonne nuit	Good night	Neutral/Intimate	00:00	bun NWEE
À demain	See you tomorrow	Neutral	00:00	ah duh-MAN
À la prochaine	Until next time	Informal/Friendly	00:00	ah lah pro-SHEN
Ciao	Bye (borrowed from Italian)	Informal/Trendy	00:00	chow
Bisous !	Kisses! (friendly)	Very Informal	00:00	bee-ZOO
Adieu	Farewell (final / dramatic)	Formal/Archaic	00:00	ah-DYEU

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Formal Vs Informal Farewell Phrases: Why Are They Important?

French has a rich vocabulary for saying goodbye, from the highly formal “Au revoir” that everybody and their dog knows, to the less well known and breezy “À plus !”. Below you'll find a chart detailing the core expressions every French learner needs to add to their vocabulary, complete with their level of formality and phonetic spelling.

Lady in yellow outfit waving goodbye — In France, the way you say goodbye reveals as much about your relationship with someone as the actual words themselves. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

If you're not careful, choosing the wrong phrase can make you sound abrupt or even a little disrespectful, while picking the right one shows cultural awareness and social sensitivity. Confused when it's the right time to use a certain phrase? Don't worry, we're here to help!

A formal-to-informal farewell (Fr):

"Je suis désolé(e) de vous quitter!"

"Vous pouvez me tutoyer."

"Ah oui? Alors, à la prochaine!"

A formal-to-informal farewell (Translated):

I'm sorry to leave (formal) you!"

"You may address me informally."

"Really? Well, then, till next time!"

Formal Goodbyes

Old man waving goodbye at airport — Photo by Gustavo Fring

Generally, formal expressions should always be used in professional settings. For example, when talking to strangers or in situations where you're unsure of what level of familiarity is culturally acceptable.

As a rule, if you're not certain what goodbye is correct, it's better to err on the side of formality. French culture tends to value politeness (much like British culture) and being a bit too formal is unlikely to upset anybody.

Au revoir - Generally, the safest and most universal choice. It works in almost any context like leaving a shop or saying goodbye to your next-door neighbour who's just moved in across the road

Bonne journée / Bonne soirée (bun zhoor-NAY / bun swah-RAY) - a polite and warm way to say goodbye, you'll notice this expression being used by office workers, shopkeepers or anyone parting ways during the day or evening

Je vous laisse - Literally, “I’ll leave you to it.” This phrase is a common one in any professional or formal setting, being used to excuse yourself from said meeting politely

Bonne continuation - A graceful way to wish someone “all the best moving forward.” This phrase is often used when a person doesn't expect to see the other for a while (maybe if they're leaving a job, or moving onto a new project)

Informal Goodbyes

On the other hand, informal farewells are more playful and less serious and are typically reserved for close friends, family, or people in the same age bracket attending things like parties or relaxed social get-togethers.

Asian Lady waving goodbye to friend — Photo by Zen Chung

Salut! - can be used interchangeably as both “hi” and “bye.” Simple, familiar, and usually one of the first words new learners to French will pick up

À plus! - à plus tard (“see you later”), but used almost exclusively among friends

À la prochaine ! - “Until next time.” is a friendly, slightly more deliberate way to wrap up a chat. Again, often used in the context of when you're not sure when you'll see the person again

Bisous ! - Literally means “kisses!”. This affectionate farewell is very common in text messages, emails, or casual phone calls. It’s largely used between female friends or family members, though men may also use it with close friends or partners in an informal setting

When to Use Each Goodbye Expression

C’est le ton qui fait la musique
It's the tone that makes the music

Memorising French farewells is only half the challenge - the real test is knowing which one fits the moment. Here's how to match the right expression to the right situation so you're never left feeling awkward.

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Workplace and Professional Settings

three people working on computers at a desk in an office space

In any professional environment, be it a job interview, lunch with your boss, or meeting with new clients, au revoir is your best friend. Sometimes, you'll also hear work colleagues pair this phrase with something like: à demain when they expect to see you tomorrow, or bonne journée if you’re parting before the workday is over.

Etiquette in the workplace

Starting a new job in France? Bear in mind, workplaces tend to stay formal until familiarity is established. If you’re unsure, always stick with the polite option - you won’t go wrong.

French	English
Customer: Merci,bonne journée !	Thank you, have a good day!
Shopkeeper: Merci à vous, au revoir !	Thank you, goodbye!

Social Gatherings With Friends

In casual circles, goodbyes often spill out into a mix of phrases like salut, à plus, bisous! which are sometimes repeated as people gather their coats. It’s common for French speakers to layer farewells this way, using two or three expressions in a single exchange.

People at a party having drinks — Photo by Cottonbro Studio

French	English
Friend A: Merci pour ce super repas.	Thanks for the great meal.
Friend B: Avec plaisir ! Salut, à plus, bisous !	My pleasure! Bye, see you later, kisses!

Travel and Everyday Encounters

personal pulling a suitcase in a station — photo by Atlantic Ambience

For day-to-day errands, short but polite farewells are best. Shopkeepers will almost always say goodbye with a bonne journée or bonne soirée, depending on the time. In hotels or tourist areas, à bientôt (“see you soon”) is a friendly staple - even if there’s no real expectation of meeting again. If you’d like focused practice for these interactions, consider working with an online French teacher.

French	English
Customer: Merci,bonne journée !	Thank you, have a good day!
Shopkeeper: Merci à vous, au revoir !	Thank you, goodbye!

Evenings and Late Nights

French makes a distinction between bonne soirée and bonne nuit. If you're leaving someone in the evening but not heading straight to bed, use bonne soirée. Save bonne nuit for when the person is actually going to sleep.

arc de triomphe in Paris in the evening — Photo by pixabay

French	English
Customer: Merci,bonne journée !	Thank you, have a good day!
Shopkeeper: Merci à vous, au revoir !	Thank you, goodbye!

Faire la bise

'Faire la bise', the French practice of kissing on the cheeks, is so common as to be clichéd. It's typical for close friends and family to greet each other - and also to part with that gesture.

Pronunciation Guide for Key Phrases

person waving goodbye to someone on a video call — Practising with native French speakers is the best way to improve your language level. Photo by Monstera Production

So now you know most of the common French phrases for saying goodbye and their cultural nuances. However, saying them so you actually sound like a French person is the next challenge. French pronunciation relies a lot on silent letters, flowing syllables and a much softer rhythm than English. Even small adjustments (like softening an r or dropping a final t) can instantly make your goodbyes feel that little more authentic. Private French lessons offer personalised attention and a customised curriculum.

Silent Letters

In French, some letters are written but not spoken. For example, the in salut and the x in à plus are silent. Even in au revoir, the middle part is softened so it sounds more like “or-vwar.” However, sometimes these letters come back if he next word starts with a vowel, like in à plus tard, where the t links into tard.