French Farewells: How to Say Goodbye in Formal and Casual Situations
Learn French farewell expressions from formal 'Au revoir' to casual 'Salut' and choose the right one based on relationship and setting.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Saying goodbye in French is not just about translating 'goodbye.' The right expression depends on who you are talking to and where you are. Using a casual farewell with your boss or a formal one with a close friend can sound odd. This lesson teaches you the most common French farewells, when to use each, and how to avoid common mistakes. You will learn to choose the appropriate goodbye for formal, neutral, and informal contexts.
By the end, you can…
- say goodbye in formal, neutral, and informal French situations.
- choose the right farewell based on the person I am speaking to and the setting.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Au revoir
Goodbye
oh ruh-vwahr
Standard farewell for any situation, formal or neutral. Safe with strangers, acquaintances, and in professional settings.
Bonne journée
Have a good day
bun zhoor-nay
Polite and friendly, often used when leaving a shop, office, or after a brief interaction. Can be used formally or informally.
À bientôt
See you soon
ah byan-toh
Used when you expect to see the person again soon, but no specific date is set. Neutral tone.
Salut
Bye / Hi
sah-loo
Informal, used with friends, family, and peers. Also means 'hi' when meeting. Do not use with superiors or strangers.
À plus tard
See you later
ah ploo tahr
Casual, used with people you see regularly, like friends or colleagues you are close to. Often shortened to 'À plus' in speech.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Many French farewells are built with 'à' + time expression, meaning 'see you...'. For example, 'À demain' (see you tomorrow), 'À ce soir' (see you this evening), 'À la semaine prochaine' (see you next week). These are neutral and can be used in most situations if you know when you will meet again. For a more formal tone, you can add 'Monsieur' or 'Madame': 'Au revoir, Monsieur.'
When to use it
Use 'Au revoir' as your default in any unclear situation. With friends, 'Salut' or 'À plus' works well. In a shop or café, 'Bonne journée' or 'Bonne soirée' is polite. If you are leaving a meeting, 'Au revoir' is safe. If you are leaving a party with friends, 'Salut' or 'À plus' is natural. Avoid 'Salut' with your boss unless you are on very friendly terms.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Au revoir, Madame. Bonne journée !
Goodbye, Madam. Have a good day!oh ruh-vwahr, mah-dahm. bun zhoor-nayAu revoir, Monsieur. À bientôt !
Goodbye, Sir. See you soon!oh ruh-vwahr, muh-syuh. ah byan-tohSalut, à plus !
Bye, see you later!sah-loo, ah plooSalut ! À demain.
Bye! See you tomorrow.sah-loo! ah duh-manA little context goes a long way
In France, the choice of farewell often reflects the level of formality in the relationship. Using 'Salut' with someone you just met or with an older person can seem disrespectful. In Quebec, 'Bonjour' is sometimes used as a goodbye, but in France it is only a greeting. When in doubt, 'Au revoir' is always acceptable.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Salut' in a formal context, such as saying goodbye to your boss or a professor.
Try this instead: Use 'Au revoir' or 'Bonne journée' instead. For example, say 'Au revoir, Monsieur' rather than 'Salut, Monsieur'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are leaving a job interview. What is the most appropriate farewell?
Show a sample answer
Au revoir, Madame/Monsieur.
'Au revoir' is formal and safe. You could also say 'Bonne journée' to be polite. 'Salut' would be too casual.
2You are leaving a friend's house after a party. What casual farewell can you use?
Show a sample answer
Salut ! À plus !
'Salut' and 'À plus' are both informal and suitable for friends. 'Au revoir' would sound a bit distant.
3You are leaving a bakery after buying bread. What is a polite thing to say?
Show a sample answer
Bonne journée !
'Bonne journée' is friendly and polite in shops. You can also say 'Au revoir'. 'Salut' is too informal.
Use 'Au revoir' as your default goodbye. Switch to 'Salut' or 'À plus' only with friends and peers. Add 'Bonne journée' or 'Bonne soirée' to sound friendly in shops or brief interactions.
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