How to Say Goodbye in French
Learn how to say goodbye in French. 'Au revoir' is the standard, with 'Salut' and 'À bientôt' for casual byes. Pronunciation guide + all the ways to say goodbye in French.
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Quick answer
To say goodbye in French, say 'Au revoir' (oh ruh-VWAHR) — literally 'until we see each other again.' It's the standard, polite goodbye for nearly every situation. Casually, friends say 'Salut' (bye) or 'À plus' (see ya). For 'see you soon,' say 'À bientôt'; for 'see you tomorrow,' 'À demain.'
Au revoir
/oh ruh-VWAHR/ — French
How to Say Goodbye in French
French farewells range from the polished Au revoir to the breezy Salut — and most carry the warm idea of meeting again.
The Standard: Au Revoir
Au revoir — pronounced oh ruh-VWAHR
It literally means “until we see each other again” (au = until the, revoir = to see again) — a warm, optimistic farewell rather than a final one.
Copy the Phrase
The French phrase for “goodbye” is Au revoir (oh ruh-VWAHR).
Pronunciation
| Part | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Au | oh | Like English “oh” |
| revoir | ruh-VWAHR | ’voir’ = “vwahr”; soft guttural final ‘r’ |
All the Ways to Say Goodbye
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Au revoir | oh ruh-VWAHR | Goodbye (standard, polite) |
| Salut | sah-LOO | Bye (casual; also “hi”) |
| À bientôt | ah bee-an-TOH | See you soon |
| À plus tard | ah ploo TAR | See you later |
| À plus | ah PLOOS | See ya (casual short form) |
| À demain | ah duh-MAN | See you tomorrow |
| À tout à l’heure | ah too tah LUR | See you shortly (same day) |
| Ciao | chow | Bye (casual, from Italian) |
| Bonne journée | bun zhoor-NAY | Have a good day |
The “À…” Family
Most casual goodbyes start with à (“until/to”) + a time:
- À bientôt — until soon (see you soon)
- À plus tard — until later
- À demain — until tomorrow
- À tout à l’heure — until a little later (same day)
- À la prochaine — until next time
These let you specify exactly when you expect to meet again.
Au Revoir vs. Salut
| French | Register | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Au revoir | Polite, universal | Everyone; strangers; shops; formal |
| Salut | Casual | Friends, family, peers only |
Remember: Salut means both “hi” and “bye” — context makes it clear. But for anyone you’d address formally, use Au revoir.
Parting Well-Wishes
The French often add a good-wish when parting:
| French | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bonne journée | Have a good day |
| Bonne soirée | Have a good evening |
| Bon week-end | Have a good weekend |
| Bonne continuation | All the best (carry on well) |
| Prends soin de toi | Take care of yourself |
A warm “Au revoir, bonne journée !” is a perfectly polished way to leave any interaction in France.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Au revoir?
'Au revoir' is pronounced oh ruh-VWAHR. 'Au' = oh (like the English 'oh'). 'Revoir' = ruh-VWAHR, where 'voir' makes a 'vwahr' sound and the final 'r' is the soft French guttural r. The trickiest part is the 'vwahr' and the throaty final 'r'. Many learners simplify it slightly, but 'oh ruh-VWAHR' is close.
What does Au revoir literally mean?
'Au revoir' literally means 'until the re-seeing' or 'until we see each other again' — 'au' (to/until the) + 'revoir' (to see again). So unlike a final goodbye, it carries the warm implication that you'll meet again. It's the same optimistic idea as the German 'Auf Wiedersehen' or the Spanish 'hasta la vista.'
When do you use Salut vs Au revoir?
'Au revoir' is polite and universal — use it with everyone, especially strangers, in shops, and formal settings. 'Salut' (sah-LOO) is casual — only with friends, family, and peers. Interestingly, 'Salut' means BOTH 'hi' and 'bye' informally. For anyone you'd address formally, use 'Au revoir.'
What are casual ways to say bye in French?
Casual goodbyes: 'Salut !' (bye), 'À plus !' (see ya — short for 'à plus tard'), 'À plus tard' (see you later), 'À bientôt' (see you soon), 'À demain' (see you tomorrow), 'À tout à l'heure' (see you in a bit, same day), 'Ciao' (borrowed from Italian, popular and casual), and 'Bonne journée !' (have a good day!).
What is the difference between À bientôt and À plus tard?
'À bientôt' (ah bee-an-TOH) = see you soon — implies you'll meet again before too long. 'À plus tard' (ah ploo TAR) = see you later — typically means later the same day or soon. 'À tout à l'heure' = see you very shortly (same day). 'À demain' = see you tomorrow. The 'À...' family lets you specify exactly when you expect to meet again.