25 Modern Ways To Say 'Goodbye In China': From Zàijiàn To WeChat Slang You Need To Know In 2024

The simple phrase "goodbye" in China is anything but simple. As of late 2024, the way you sign off in Mandarin Chinese—whether in a formal business meeting, a casual chat with friends, or a rapid-fire WeChat conversation—is a crucial indicator of your cultural fluency and relationship with the other person. Using only the textbook phrase 再见 (zàijiàn) is polite, but it often marks you as an outsider; true conversational mastery lies in knowing the specific, contextual, and often playful alternatives used by locals today.

The landscape of farewells has been heavily influenced by digital communication, with numerical slang and English loanwords now dominating casual sign-offs. Mastering these 25 essential phrases will not only make your conversations more natural but also demonstrate a deep respect for the dynamic nature of the Chinese language and its culture.

The Essential Chinese Farewell Vocabulary and Cultural Context

Understanding the core vocabulary for saying goodbye is the foundation. Unlike English, where "goodbye" can be used in almost any context, Mandarin uses phrases that directly imply future action or a wish for the other person’s well-being. This list moves beyond the basics to give you the full spectrum of modern usage.

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• 1. 再见 (Zàijiàn): The Standard 'See You Again'

  This is the most common and universally understood phrase for "goodbye." It literally means "again see" (再 *zài* means 'again' and 见 *jiàn* means 'to see'). It is safe for both formal and informal settings, though it can feel slightly stiff among close friends.

• 2. 拜拜 (Bàibài): The Casual English Import

  A direct phonetic borrowing from the English "bye-bye." 拜拜 is extremely common in casual and semi-formal settings, especially among younger people and in city environments. It’s often considered friendlier and lighter than 再见.

• 3. 一会儿见 (Yīhuǐr jiàn): See You In a Bit

  Used when you expect to see the person again very soon, perhaps later the same day or within the hour. It is a casual and warm way to part.

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• 4. 明天见 (Míngtiān jiàn): See You Tomorrow

  A simple, direct phrase used when you have a confirmed plan to meet the person the following day (明天 *míngtiān* means 'tomorrow').

• 5. 失陪了 (Shīpéi le): Excuse Me, I Must Leave (Formal)

  This is a highly polite and formal phrase, translating to "I am sorry for leaving your company." You would use this in a professional setting, when excusing yourself from a gathering of elders, or when leaving a host's home.

• 6. 慢走 (Màn zǒu): Walk Slowly (Host's Phrase)

  This phrase is almost exclusively used by the host to the departing guest. It literally means "walk slowly" and is a polite way of saying "take care on your way out" or "safe travels." It is considered rude for a guest to say 慢走 to the host.

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• 7. 照顾自己 (Zhàogù zìjǐ): Take Care of Yourself

  A warm, sincere phrase used when parting from someone you care about, especially if you won't see them for a long time. It means "take care of yourself."

• 8. 再联系 (Zài liánxì): Let's Keep in Touch

  Translating to "contact again," this is commonly used at the end of a professional or acquaintance-level conversation to signal the intention to maintain contact, similar to "let's keep in touch."

• 9. 我走了 (Wǒ zǒu le): I'm Leaving Now

  A simple and direct way to announce your departure, often used with friends or family. It sets the stage for the actual farewell, like "I'm heading out."

The Rise of Digital Slang: WeChat and Internet Goodbyes

In the age of instant messaging via platforms like WeChat, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu, traditional characters have been replaced by rapid, numeric, and phonetic shortcuts. Mastering these modern digital sign-offs is essential for communicating with younger Chinese speakers in 2024.

• 10. 88 (Bā Bā): The Ultimate Quick Sign-Off

  This is arguably the most common digital farewell. The number '8' is pronounced *bā*, which sounds like the first syllable of 拜拜 (*bāibài*). Therefore, "88" is a rapid, casual, and widely understood digital way of saying "bye-bye."

• 11. 886 (Bā Bā Liù): Bye-Bye Le

  An extension of "88," the number '6' (六 *liù*) is often used as a phonetic particle, sometimes sounding like the final particle *le* (了) which indicates a change of state. 886 is a very common way to end a chat, meaning "bye-bye now" or "gotta go, bye."

• 12. 666 (Liù Liù Liù): The 'Awesome' Sign-Off

  While primarily meaning "awesome" or "smoothly" (from the sound of 'six'), *666* has a double meaning in chat culture. It can be used as a sign-off, often implying a smooth or successful end to the conversation, or simply as a friendly, lighthearted way to end the chat.

• 13. TTYL (Tā Tā Yī Ěr): The Pinyin Acronym

  Though less common than the numerical slang, some younger users may use pinyin acronyms, similar to English. However, the numerical slang is far more prevalent.

• 14. 我下线了 (Wǒ xiàxiàn le): I’m Going Offline

  A clear, direct phrase used in online gaming or chat groups to signal that you are logging off and ending the session.

• 15. 有事再聊 (Yǒushì zài liáo): Talk Again If Something Comes Up

  A polite way to end a conversation, especially if the topic was work-related or serious. It means "let's talk again if there's something else," effectively signaling the conversation is over for now.

Regional and Poetic Ways to Bid Farewell

China is a vast country with hundreds of dialects. While Mandarin is the official language, knowing a few regional phrases can greatly impress a native speaker. Furthermore, Chinese culture has a long, rich tradition of poetic farewells.

Regional Variations (Cantonese and Others)

• 16. 咗見 (Zoi3 gin3): Cantonese 'See You Again'

  The Cantonese equivalent of Mandarin’s 再见, used widely in Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong province. The characters are the same, but the pronunciation is different.

• 17. 早抖 (Jóu táu): Cantonese Casual Goodbye

  A very casual Cantonese farewell, often used to mean "goodbye" in a relaxed setting.

• 18. 拜拜 (Baai1 baai3): Cantonese 'Bye-Bye'

  Similar to Mandarin, the English loanword is also used in Cantonese, though the tones are different.

• 19. 走先 (Zǒu xiān): I'll Go First (Informal/Regional)

  A common, casual phrase in many regions, meaning "I'm leaving first." It's a quick, no-fuss way to depart among friends.

Formal and Poetic Parting Phrases

• 20. 告别 (Gàobié): To Say Goodbye (Formal Verb)

  This is a formal verb meaning "to bid farewell" or "to take leave." You might hear it in a speech or formal announcement, such as "I came to say goodbye to you" (我是来向你告别的 *Wǒ shì lái xiàng nǐ gàobié de*).

• 21. 后会有期 (Hòu huì yǒu qí): We Shall Meet Again Someday

  A more literary or poetic phrase, implying that while the parting is difficult, you are confident you will meet again in the future. It carries a sense of destiny and hope.

• 22. 一路顺风 (Yīlù shùnfēng): Have a Smooth Trip

  Literally "may your journey be smooth sailing." This is a classic well-wish used when someone is embarking on a long journey or a trip.

• 23. 期待下次见面 (Qīdài xià cì jiànmiàn): Looking Forward to Our Next Meeting

  A warm, formal-to-semi-formal phrase often used in professional or new acquaintance settings to express a genuine desire to meet again.

• 24. 珍重 (Zhēnzhòng): Take Good Care (Literary)

  A more traditional and literary way to express "take care," often used in written correspondence or when parting from a close friend after a long time. It means "to treasure/value yourself highly."

• 25. 保持联系 (Bǎochí liánxì): Stay in Contact

  A modern, direct equivalent of "keep in touch," used widely in both professional and social contexts, especially after exchanging contact information.

Mastering the Art of the Chinese Exit

The key to a successful farewell in Chinese is contextual awareness. If you are leaving a dinner hosted by an older couple, a simple 再见 followed by the host's 慢走 is perfect. If you are ending a conversation with a friend on WeChat, a quick 88 or 886 is the most natural sign-off.

The modern Chinese language, especially in digital form, is constantly evolving. By incorporating these 25 phrases—from the formal 失陪了 to the internet-savvy 886—you will move beyond the basic textbook level and communicate with the fluency and cultural nuance expected in China today. The next time you part ways, remember that your choice of farewell is a small but powerful statement about your understanding of this fascinating culture.