Knowing how to say goodbye in French is a crucial skill for any learner. While “au revoir” is the most famous French parting phrase, mastering other options will help you sound more natural and confident. This guide will teach you five essential ways to say goodbye, from formal settings to casual conversations with friends.
The Standard and Polite Way: Au Revoir
This is likely the first farewell you learned in a French class, and for good reason: it is the most common and polite way to say goodbye in French. The phrase literally means “until we see each other again”, which implies that you are a polite person and hope to meet again soon.
Click here to hear how to pronounce au revoir.
When to Use “Au Revoir”
You can use “au revoir” in almost any situation. It is appropriate for formal settings, such as when you leave a meeting with a manager or say goodbye to a shopkeeper. It is also suitable for informal situations with people you do not know well, like a new neighbour or a new acquaintance. While it is always a safe choice, it can sometimes sound too formal in very casual settings. For example, you likely wouldn’t use “au revoir” with your best friend.
Variations in Pronunciation
While you spell the phrase “au revoir”, the pronunciation can vary. Some people pronounce it /ɔ o ʁvwɑr/ like the vowel in ‘raw’ with an American accent. This is a common pronunciation but the proper one would be /o ʁvwɑr/ with a closed O, as in ‘blow’ with a Scottish accent.
Bonne Journée and Bonne Soirée
These phrases wish someone a good day or a good evening. They are a great way to add a warm and friendly touch to your farewell. The key is to remember the context. You use “bonjour” when you greet someone, while you use “bonne journée” when you leave. The same goes for the evening: “bonsoir” is a greeting and “bonne soirée” is for saying goodbye.
The Difference Between ‘Jour’ and ‘Journée’
In French, there is a subtle but important difference between ‘jour’ and ‘journée‘ which are both translated to ‘day’ in English. ‘Jour’ refers to the abstract concept of a 24 hour unit. “On est quel jour ? On est le 29.” What day is it? We’re the 29th. On the other hand, ‘journée‘ refers to a period of time that lasts between sunrise and sunset. “Il a plu toute la journée”: It rained all day long. ‘Jour’ is also used as the opposite of ‘Night’. “Jour et nuit”: Day and night.
The distinction is even more subtle between ‘soir’ and ‘soirée’. ‘Soir’ means the time after sunset. ‘Soirée’ just like ‘journée’ refers to a moment lasting after sunset. “J’ai passé la soirée à lire”: I spent the evening reading.
Click here to hear how to pronounce “bonne journée”.
Click here to hear how to pronounce “bonne soirée”.
When to Use “Bonne Journée” and “Bonne Soirée”
You should use “bonne journée” when you say goodbye during the day. It is a polite and friendly way to end a conversation with someone you may or may not know well. For example, if you leave a bakery after buying bread, you can say “bonne journée” to the baker. Similarly, use “bonne soirée” in the evening. These phrases are very common and show that you are paying attention to the time of day.
The Casual Bye: Salut
If you want to sound more casual and friendly, ‘salut‘ is the perfect word. This is one of the most useful and versatile words in French, as it can mean both ‘hi’ and ‘bye.’
Using ‘salut‘ with a stranger (outside of a dating context) or a superior, like your boss, might be considered too informal. It’s the equivalent of using ‘hi’ and ‘bye’ in English, so you use it in the same way you would with your friends.
The International Ciao
‘Ciao‘ is used in many countries, including French. Originally from Italian, it’s now also used in France, but only to say ‘bye’ (and not ‘hi’ like in Italy).
‘ciao’ is pronounced like Italian but with a French accent, you typically say it with a ‘ch’ sound at the beginning, sas in ‘cheese.’ You can use this word in the same casual settings as ‘salut’, maybe even more, with friends and family. It is a modern and relaxed way to end a conversation.
The Final Goodbye: Adieu
‘Adieu‘ is a very powerful word, and you should use it with caution. The word literally translates to “to God” and implies that you are saying a final farewell and do not expect to see the person again.
The etymology of‘Adieu’
The word ‘adieu‘ is the shortened form of the old French “a Dieu vos comant”, meaning “I recommend you to God”. The word ‘Dieu’ traces its roots back to the Latin word ‘Deus’ for ‘God.’ Today, it’s used by most Francophones for a farewell that is often permanent or final.
When to Use ‘Adieu’ (and When to Avoid It)
In modern France, using ‘adieu‘ can sound very dramatic and even a little old-fashioned. People often use it in a formal or literary context, or to say a final farewell, after a divorce. However, there are some exceptions. In Switzerland for example, people use ‘adieu’ more casually, sometimes even as a way to say ‘hello.’ But if you are in France, it is best to avoid ‘adieu‘ and use one of the other, more common phrases.
Putting It All Together: Parting Naturally
Now you know that “au revoir” is not your only option. By using a mix of“bonne journée”, “salut”, and “ciao”, you can make your French sound more natural and authentic. Remember to choose how to say goodbye based on the person you are talking to and the context of the situation. Just like in your native language, saying goodbye in French is all about finding the right words to fit the moment.
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