Saying Goodbye in Chinese
Knowing how to properly end a conversation is just as important as knowing how to start one! These simple farewell phrases will help you politely conclude your Chinese conversations. Let's learn the most common ways to say goodbye in Mandarin!
Basic Farewell Phrases
These five expressions will help you say goodbye in any situation:
Using These Phrases
Chinese has several ways to say goodbye depending on the situation and when you expect to see the person again. Here's how to use each expression appropriately:
Standard Goodbye
再见goodbye is the standard way to say "goodbye" in Mandarin - it works in all situations, both formal and informal. Literally, it means "see again," similar to "see you later" in English.
See You Tomorrow
明天见See you tomorrow means "see you tomorrow" - use this when you know you'll meet the person the next day, like with classmates or colleagues you see daily.
See You Later/See You Soon
回头见See you later means "see you later" or "see you soon" - perfect for when you'll meet again in the near future but aren't sure exactly when.
Casual Bye-Bye
拜拜bye-bye is a casual, friendly "bye-bye" - this is borrowed from English and is commonly used among friends, especially younger people.
Polite Farewell to Someone Leaving
慢走Take care (when leaving) literally means "walk slowly" but is used to say "take care" or "have a safe journey" to someone who is leaving. It's a polite and thoughtful way to say goodbye.
Mini Conversation Practice
Try practicing these simple farewell dialogues:
Dialogue 1: Basic Goodbye
- 👩🦰 我要回家了。 - I need to go home now.
- 👩🎓 好的，再见！ - Okay, goodbye!
- 👩🦰 再见！ - Goodbye!
Dialogue 2: Saying See You Tomorrow
- 👩🦰 我们明天上课。 - We have class tomorrow.
- 👩🎓 好的，明天见！ - Okay, see you tomorrow!
- 👩🦰 明天见！ - See you tomorrow!
Dialogue 3: Casual Farewell
- 👩🎓 我要去商店。 - I'm going to the store.
- 👩🦰 回头见！ - See you later!
- 👩🎓 拜拜！ - Bye-bye!
Dialogue 4: Polite Farewell
- 👩🦰 谢谢你的茶。我现在要走了。 - Thank you for the tea. I need to leave now.
- 👩🎓 慢走！ - Take care! (to the person leaving)
Cultural Notes about Saying Goodbye in Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, saying goodbye often involves these interesting customs:
- The host often sees guests out to the elevator, building entrance, or even to their car
- The person staying often says 慢走Take care (when leaving) to the one who is leaving
- Physical contact like handshakes is common in business settings, but hugging is less common than in Western cultures
- Multiple goodbyes are normal - Chinese people often continue the conversation while saying goodbye
Practice Tips
- Practice saying 再见goodbye when leaving shops or restaurants
- Use context-specific goodbyes like 明天见See you tomorrow with people you'll see the next day
- Watch Chinese TV shows to observe how people naturally end conversations
- Role-play different leaving scenarios with friends practicing Chinese
Learning how to say goodbye properly completes your basic conversation skills in Chinese! With greetings, thank you phrases, and now farewells, you're equipped for the essential beginnings and endings of basic interactions. Keep practicing these phrases in context, and they'll become natural parts of your Chinese conversations!