In this workshop, you will practice saying goodbye in Mandarin using common phrases from the recordings. You will learn to announce that you are leaving, suggest meeting again, and respond to someone else's goodbye. The phrases are «再见» (goodbye), «回头见» (see you later), «下次见» (see you next time), and «我先走了» (I'm heading off first). You will also hear a short dialogue between two speakers. By the end, you should feel more comfortable ending a social visit in Mandarin.
Useful Goodbye Phrases
The recording gives four goodbye phrases. «再见» means 'goodbye' or 'see you again'. It is neutral and works in many situations. «回头见» means 'see you later' or 'see you soon'. It is common among friends and classmates and suggests you will meet again before long, but no exact time is set. «下次见» means 'see you next time'. Use it when you expect another meeting but have not planned a date. «我先走了» means 'I'm heading off first' or 'I'll leave first'. It is a polite way to announce your departure from a group. It does not mean you are the most important person; it simply means you are leaving before others. Listen to the pronunciation and repeat each phrase.
A Short Goodbye Dialogue
The recording includes a short dialogue. Speaker A says: «时间不早了，我先走了。» This means 'It's getting late, so I'm heading off first.' Speaker B replies: «好，回头见！» This means 'Okay, see you later!' Then Speaker A says: «下次见，有空再聊。» This means 'See you next time, let's chat again when we're free.' Speaker B replies: «好，路上小心！» This means 'Okay, take care on the way!' Notice how A announces leaving, B accepts and says a friendly goodbye, A suggests meeting again, and B offers a caring closing. You can play both roles with the audio.
How to Practice
First, listen to the recording and repeat each phrase aloud. Pay attention to the tones. Then, try the exercises below. In the guided exchange, you will play Speaker A and use «我先走了» to announce leaving. In the reply comprehension task, you will choose the best response to «回头见». In the recall task, you will switch roles and respond as Speaker B. You can pause the audio and speak at your own pace. There is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself. Practice saying the phrases until they feel natural.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
再见
Goodbye; see you again
zài jiàn
回头见
See you later; see you soon
huí tóu jiàn
下次见
See you next time
xià cì jiàn
我先走了
I'm heading off first; I'll leave first
wǒ xiān zǒu le
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
时间不早了，我先走了。
It's getting late, so I'm heading off first.好，回头见！
Okay, see you later!下次见，有空再聊。
See you next time, let's chat again when we're free.好，路上小心！
Okay, take care on the way!Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Announcing Your Departure
Imagine you are at a friend's gathering. It is getting late. You want to announce that you are leaving first. Your friend is Speaker B in the recording.
Your task: Play the role of Speaker A. Say «时间不早了，我先走了。» Then pause and listen to Speaker B's reply. After B replies, say «下次见，有空再聊。» You can repeat this exchange several times.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You hear someone say «回头见！» to you as they leave. You want to respond appropriately. Below are three possible replies. Only one matches the recording's style.
Your task: Read the three options: A. «好，路上小心！» B. «时间不早了，我先走了。» C. «下次见，有空再聊。» Which one is a natural reply to «回头见»? Say your choice aloud, then check the answer key.
Recall and Role-Switch: Responding as Speaker B
Now switch roles. You are Speaker B. Speaker A says «时间不早了，我先走了。» You need to respond, then later respond again when A says «下次见，有空再聊。»
Your task: Play the audio of Speaker A. After the first line, say «好，回头见！» After the second line, say «好，路上小心！» Try to do this without looking at the text. Then check your answers.
Common questions
What is the difference between «再见», «回头见», and «下次见»?
«再见» is a general 'goodbye' that works in many situations. «回头见» means 'see you later' and is common among friends; it suggests you will meet again before long, but no exact time is set. «下次见» means 'see you next time' and is used when you expect another meeting but have not planned a date. All three are friendly, but «回头见» and «下次见» are more casual and warm.
When should I use «我先走了»?
Use «我先走了» when you are leaving a group before others. It politely announces that you are heading off first. It does not mean you are the most important person; it simply means you are leaving earlier. You can say it after «时间不早了» (it's getting late) to explain why you are leaving.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: say goodbye in social settingsChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Chinese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr