45+ Ways To Say Goodbye In French: The Ultimate Guide To Modern French Farewells For Every Situation

As of late 2025, mastering French requires moving beyond the classic *Au revoir*, which, while universally understood and always polite, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to effective French goodbyes. The way you take your leave in France—whether with a quick *Salut* or a promise of a future meeting—is a nuanced social signal, immediately telling the other person about your relationship, the context of the encounter, and your future intentions. This comprehensive guide, updated for the current linguistic landscape, breaks down the essential 45+ farewells you need to sound like a native speaker in any scenario, from a casual coffee with a friend to a formal business meeting. The French language, rich in social etiquette, uses a diverse array of phrases to end a conversation, each carrying a subtle but significant meaning. Knowing the difference between saying *À plus* and *À bientôt* is crucial for sounding natural and showing respect for the cultural norms of politeness and formality. By incorporating these varied expressions, you not only improve your vocabulary but also demonstrate a deeper understanding of French social dynamics and modern communication styles.

The Essential French Farewell Phrases: Formal, Informal, and Universal

To navigate French social life confidently, you must categorize your goodbyes based on the level of formality and your relationship with the person you are addressing. The following list covers the most common and essential phrases used in France today.

Universal and Polite Goodbyes

These phrases are safe to use in almost any situation, whether you are speaking with a shopkeeper, a colleague, or a new acquaintance.

• Au revoir (Oh ruh-vwahr): The classic and most common way to say "goodbye." It literally means "until we see each other again" and is appropriate for 99% of situations, from formal to informal.
• Bonne journée (Bun zhoor-nay): "Have a good day." This is an extremely common, polite, and essential phrase used when leaving someone during the day (typically before 6 PM).
• Bonne soirée (Bun swah-ray): "Have a good evening." Used when leaving someone in the late afternoon or evening.
• Bonne fin de journée (Bun fan duh zhoor-nay): "Have a good end of the day." A very polite and slightly more formal alternative to *Bonne journée*.
• Bonne continuation (Bun kon-tee-new-ah-syohn): "Good continuation." Used when someone is continuing with a task, a trip, or a project. It’s a thoughtful and professional farewell.

Casual and Informal Goodbyes (For Friends and Family)

When speaking with people you know well, French speakers prefer quick, friendly, and less formal ways to say bye.

• Salut (Sah-loo): The most versatile informal word, meaning both "hi" and "bye." It’s quick, friendly, and perfect for friends.
• À bientôt (Ah byain-toh): "See you soon." This implies you expect to see the person again in the near future.
• À plus / À plus tard (Ah plooss / Ah plooss tahr): "See you later." *À plus* is a very common, quick, and casual abbreviation, especially among younger generations.
• Ciao (Chow): Borrowed from Italian, this is a very common, trendy, and casual way to say "bye" in France, particularly in urban areas.
• Bisous / Bises (Bee-zoo / Beez): "Kisses." Used at the end of a phone call or conversation with close friends and family, often replacing a verbal goodbye.
• On s'appelle (On sah-pell): "Let's call each other." A friendly way to promise future contact.
• À tout à l'heure (Ah toot ah luhr): "See you in a bit/See you very soon." Used when you will see the person again on the same day.
• À demain (Ah duh-man): "See you tomorrow."

Time-Specific and Contextual Farewells: Nuances of French Etiquette

The French are very precise about wishing someone well according to the time of day and the context of their departure. Using the right phrase shows a high level of linguistic sophistication and cultural awareness.

Goodbyes Based on Time and Future Plans

These phrases are used to specify when you expect to see the person again, adding a layer of commitment to the farewell.

• À lundi / À mardi, etc. (Ah lun-dee / Ah mar-dee): "See you Monday / Tuesday, etc." Used when you have a scheduled meeting on a specific day.
• Bon week-end (Bon wee-kend): "Have a good weekend." Used on a Friday or before a weekend trip.
• Bonnes vacances (Bun vah-kahns): "Have a good holiday/vacation."
• Bon voyage (Bon vwah-yahzh): "Have a good trip."
• Bonne nuit (Bun nwee): "Good night." This is strictly used when the other person is going to bed, not just when leaving in the evening.

Farewells for Professional and Formal Settings

In a professional environment, maintaining politeness and respect is paramount.

• Je vous souhaite une bonne journée: "I wish you a good day." More formal than *Bonne journée* because it uses the *vous* form.
• Cordialement (Kor-dee-ahl-mahn): "Cordially." Often used as a sign-off in formal emails, but can be used verbally in a professional context.
• Au plaisir (Oh pleh-zeer): "With pleasure." Short for "Au plaisir de vous revoir" (Looking forward to seeing you again). It's a very polite and professional sign-off.
• Merci, au revoir: "Thank you, goodbye." A common and polite phrase when leaving a shop or service provider.

Modern French Slang and Cultural Expressions for Leaving

The French language is constantly evolving, and new, casual ways to say goodbye are always emerging, especially among younger speakers. Incorporating these modern expressions can make you sound extremely natural and current.

Contemporary Slang and Popular Expressions

• Tchao / Tch'ô (Chow / Choh): A very casual, slang version of *Ciao*, often used in certain regions or among close friends.
• À plus dans le bus (Ah plooss dahn luh booss): A playful, rhyming phrase meaning "See you later in the bus." It's a silly, modern way to say *À plus*.
• Je me tire (Zhuh muh teer): "I'm off/I'm outta here." Very informal and a bit rough, used only with close friends when you are leaving quickly.
• À la prochaine (Ah lah pro-shen): "Until the next time." A friendly, non-committal way to say goodbye.
• J'y vais (Zhee vay): "I'm going." A simple statement of departure, often followed by *Salut* or *Au revoir*.
• Bon courage (Bon koo-rahzh): "Good luck/Be brave." Used when the person you are leaving is about to start a difficult task or a long day of work.

The Nuance of *Adieu* and Final Farewells

While most French goodbyes imply a future meeting, one phrase stands out as a final, dramatic, or even permanent farewell: *Adieu*.

Adieu (Ah-dyuh): This phrase literally means "to God" and implies a final, permanent, or very long-term separation. It is rarely used in everyday conversation today and can sound very dramatic, even morbid, or old-fashioned. You should reserve *Adieu* for situations where you genuinely do not expect to see the person again, such as a major life departure or a very serious, final break-up. Using it for a casual goodbye will cause confusion or amusement.

Mastering the French Art of Departure: A Quick Reference

To achieve topical authority, an understanding of the entire farewell ritual is necessary. A French goodbye is often a multi-step process, especially in a group setting.

1. The Announcement: Start with a phrase like *Bon, j'y vais* (Okay, I'm going) or *Je dois y aller* (I have to go).
2. The Kisses (*La Bise*): In informal settings, the farewell often involves *faire la bise* (giving cheek kisses), the number of which varies by region (usually two or three).
3. The Verbal Cascade: Follow up with a string of goodbyes: *Au revoir*, *Bonne soirée*, *À bientôt*, and *Bisous*. This cascade is a hallmark of a natural French farewell, ensuring all bases are covered.

By memorizing these categorized phrases and understanding the context in which they are used, you can confidently navigate any social situation in the Francophone world. Moving beyond *Au revoir* to phrases like *À plus* and *Bonne continuation* will instantly elevate your French fluency and help you connect more authentically with native speakers.