How to say 'I should get going' and 'Let's catch up soon' in French
Learn elementary French phrases for ending a conversation politely, giving a reason, and suggesting a future meet-up, with register and regional notes.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Saying goodbye is not the same as exiting a conversation. In French, when you want to leave a chat, a party or a phone call, you often announce your departure first, give a short reason, and then say goodbye. This lesson teaches standard phrases such as 'Bon, je vais devoir y aller' and 'On se tient au courant', plus friendly ways to suggest catching up later. You will also learn when to use tu and vous, and how these phrases differ in France, Quebec and parts of Africa.
By the end, you can…
- announce that I need to leave a conversation in French.
- give a simple reason for leaving.
- suggest catching up again soon.
- choose between formal and informal phrases.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Bon, je vais devoir y aller.
Well, I should get going.
bohn, zhuh vay duh-VWAR ee ah-LAY
Standard, neutral way to announce you are about to leave. 'Bon' softens the exit and signals a change in the conversation.
Il faut que je file.
I need to dash.
eel foh kuh zhuh FEEL
Informal, common in France. 'Filer' means to leave quickly. Use with friends, family or colleagues you address with tu.
J'ai un truc à faire.
I have something to do.
zhay un TRUHK ah FEHR
Informal reason. 'Un truc' is vague and friendly. In more formal situations, say 'J'ai quelque chose à faire'.
On se tient au courant.
Let's keep each other posted. / Let's catch up soon.
ohn suh tyan oh koo-RAHN
A natural way to suggest staying in touch without fixing a date. Common in France and Quebec.
On se voit bientôt ?
Shall we meet up soon?
ohn suh vwah byan-TOH
Friendly suggestion. Use with people you already know. For a more formal suggestion, say 'On pourrait se revoir bientôt ?'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A common pattern is a soft opener plus a departure phrase: 'Bon, je vais devoir y aller.' You can also use 'Écoute, il faut que je file.' The opener 'bon' or 'écoute' signals that you are changing topic. To give a reason, add 'j'ai un truc à faire' or 'j'ai un rendez-vous'. To suggest a future contact, use 'on se tient au courant' or 'on se voit bientôt ?'. These phrases work together: announce, explain, suggest, then say 'au revoir' or 'à bientôt'.
When to use it
Use 'je vais devoir y aller' in most situations, including with people you address as vous. Use 'il faut que je file' with friends, close colleagues or family. If you are leaving a formal meeting, say 'Je suis désolé, je dois vous laisser' or 'Je dois y aller'. If you want to suggest catching up, 'on se tient au courant' is safe and neutral. 'On se voit bientôt ?' is warmer and expects a response. In Quebec, 'on se reparle' is common for 'let's talk again soon'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bon, écoute, je vais devoir y aller.
Well, listen, I should get going.bohn, ay-KOOT, zhuh vay duh-VWAR ee ah-LAYAh bon ? Tu as un rendez-vous ?
Oh really? Do you have an appointment?ah BOHN? tew ah un rahn-day-VOOOui, j'ai un truc à faire. On se tient au courant ?
Yes, I have something to do. Let's keep each other posted?wee, zhay un TRUHK ah FEHR. ohn suh tyan oh koo-RAHND'accord. À bientôt !
Okay. See you soon!da-KOR. ah byan-TOHA little context goes a long way
In France, 'bon' at the start of a departure is very common and does not sound rude; it signals that you are wrapping up. In Quebec, 'on se reparle' and 'on se tient au courant' are both natural, but 'on se reparle' is especially common in informal speech. In many African French-speaking countries, 'on se tient au courant' is also understood, though local expressions may vary. When in doubt, use 'je vais devoir y aller' with vous and 'il faut que je file' with tu.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je dois partir' as the only phrase and then leaving immediately.
Try this instead: 'Je dois partir' is correct but can sound abrupt if you do not soften it or give a reason. Add an opener and a reason: 'Bon, je dois partir, j'ai un truc à faire.' Then add a future contact phrase such as 'on se tient au courant'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are at a friend's party and want to leave. Give a friendly phrase and a reason.
Show a sample answer
Bon, il faut que je file, j'ai un truc à faire.
This uses an informal phrase 'il faut que je file' with tu-level friends, plus a vague reason. 'Je vais devoir y aller' is also correct and slightly more neutral.
2You are leaving a meeting with a client you address as vous. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Je suis désolé, je dois vous laisser. On se tient au courant.
'Je dois vous laisser' is polite with vous. 'On se tient au courant' keeps future contact open. 'Je vais devoir y aller' is also acceptable in this context.
3Your friend says 'On se voit bientôt ?' What is a natural reply?
Show a sample answer
Oui, avec plaisir. On se tient au courant.
This accepts the suggestion and repeats a common future-contact phrase. 'D'accord, à bientôt' is also fine if you want to keep it short.
To exit a French conversation politely, announce your departure with 'Bon, je vais devoir y aller', give a short reason, then suggest 'On se tient au courant' or 'On se voit bientôt ?' before saying goodbye.
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