Saying Casual Goodbyes in German: 'See You Later' and 'Catch You Soon'
Learn relaxed German farewells like Bis später and Bis bald, plus polite ways to leave a gathering and suggest meeting again.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In German, casual goodbyes are short, friendly and often hint at a future meeting. Instead of a formal Auf Wiedersehen, friends say Bis später ('see you later') or Bis bald ('see you soon'). This lesson teaches five everyday farewells, how to leave a gathering politely, and how to make a simple plan to meet again. You will also learn which phrases are standard throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and which are more regional.
By the end, you can…
- say casual goodbyes such as 'See you later' and 'Catch you soon' in German.
- leave a gathering politely and suggest meeting again.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Bis später!
See you later!
bis SHPAY-ter
Very common when you expect to see the person again the same day. The umlaut ä sounds like the e in 'bed'.
Bis bald!
See you soon!
bis BALT
Used when you will meet again soon but not necessarily today. Friendly and neutral.
Bis dann!
See you then! / Catch you soon!
bis DAN
Relaxed and vague; it works when no exact time has been fixed. Common in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Mach's gut!
Take care! / Bye for now!
makhs GOOT
Casual and warm, often said when someone is leaving. The apostrophe shows that es is shortened.
Wir sehen uns!
We'll see each other! / See you!
veer ZAY-en uns
A friendly promise of another meeting. It can stand alone or be followed by a time, e.g. Wir sehen uns morgen.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Many casual German goodbyes start with bis, which means 'until'. Add a time or event: Bis später (until later), Bis bald (until soon), Bis morgen (until tomorrow), Bis Montag (until Monday). You can also say Bis dann when the exact time is open. The pattern is fixed and easy: bis + time word. For a warmer tone, add Mach's gut or Wir sehen uns.
When to use it
Use Bis später, Bis bald and Bis dann with friends, classmates, colleagues you know well, or people your own age. Use Mach's gut when someone is heading home or leaving a party. Use Wir sehen uns when you want to sound friendly and suggest another meeting. A formal Auf Wiedersehen is still correct in shops, offices and with strangers, but it sounds distant at a casual gathering.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
So, ich muss langsam los. Bis später!
So, I have to get going soon. See you later!zo, ikh moos LAHNG-zahm los. bis SHPAY-terSchade! Mach's gut. Wir sehen uns bald.
Too bad! Take care. We'll see each other soon.SHAH-duh! makhs GOOT. veer ZAY-en uns BALTJa, bis bald! Ich schreib dir.
Yes, see you soon! I'll write to you.yah, bis BALT! ikh SHRYPE deerSuper, bis dann!
Great, see you then!ZOO-per, bis DANA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, casual goodbyes often include a short reason for leaving, such as Ich muss los ('I have to go'), which is polite rather than abrupt. Bis später is most natural in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; regional alternatives like Pfiat di (Bavaria, Austria) or Tschüss (northern and central Germany) exist, but learners can safely use the phrases here almost anywhere.
One thing to watch for
Using Auf Wiedersehen at a casual party because it is the phrase you learned first.
Try this instead: Auf Wiedersehen is formal and can sound stiff among friends. Say Bis später or Mach's gut instead. For example: Ich muss los. Bis später! is friendly and natural.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are leaving a friend's party and will see them tomorrow. What casual goodbye fits best?
Show a sample answer
Bis morgen!
Bis morgen means 'until tomorrow' and fits a known next meeting. Bis später or Bis bald are also possible if the time is less exact.
2A colleague you know well is leaving the office. Give a warm, casual goodbye.
Show a sample answer
Mach's gut!
Mach's gut is warm and casual. Bis dann or Bis bald also work with a well-known colleague; Auf Wiedersehen would sound more formal.
3You want to suggest meeting again without fixing a time. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
Wir sehen uns!
Wir sehen uns means 'we'll see each other' and leaves the time open. Bis bald is another good option.
Use Bis später, Bis bald, Bis dann, Mach's gut and Wir sehen uns for relaxed goodbyes. Add a short reason for leaving, and keep Auf Wiedersehen for formal situations.
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