How to Say Goodbye in Chinese? 5 Interesting Ways to Say Goodbye Today
“Goodbye” is a commonly used in daily conversations. Just like in other languages Mandarin Chinese has ways to say goodbye depending on the relationship between speakers. Whether you’re a Chinese language learner traveler or expat knowing different Chinese farewell can help you sound more natural.
In this article you’ll discover five ways to say goodbye in Chinese from formal goodbyes to expressions used in everyday conversations.
1. Zàijiàn! 再见 – The Most Common Way to Say Goodbye in Chinese
再见
Zàijiàn!
Goodbye!
The most basic and commonly used way to say goodbye in Chinese is 再见 (zàijiàn). This is used in both formal and informal making it one of the most Chinese farewell phrases.
Breakdown of the Meaning:
再 (zài) – “Again”
见 (jiàn) – “To meet”
Thus, 再见 (zàijiàn) literally means “see you again” similar to the English phrase “See you later”. You’ll hear this frequently in daily conversations business meetings and casual interactions in China.
2. Yīhuìr Jiàn! 一会儿见 – See You later in Chinese
一会儿见 !
Yīhuìr jiàn!
Another common way to say goodbye in Chinese is 一会儿见 (yīhuìr jiàn) which is similar to the English phrase “See you later”. This phrase is used in daily Chinese conversations and is a friendly farewell expression in Mandarin.
Breakdown of the Meaning:
会儿 (yīhuìr) “Soon” or “Later”
见 (jiàn) “To meet”
How to Use 会儿 (yīhuìr) in Chinese Sentences
The phrase “会儿 (yīhuìr) + verb” is commonly used to express that something will happen soon. This is used when you to see the same person again in a short time. It’s a natural way to say goodbye in spoken Chinese.
EXAMPLE:
我一会儿去商店。
Wǒ yīhuìr qù shāngdiàn.
I will go the shop later.
3. Huítóu Jiàn! 回头见 – A Casual Way to Say “See You” in Chinese
回头见
Huí tóu jiàn!
See you!
(lit.) look-back-meet
Another commonly used Chinese farewell phrase is 回头见 (huítóu jiàn) which translates to “See you!” in English. Unlike 一会儿见 (yīhuìr jiàn) which meeting soon 回头见 is more can be used even if you don’t plan to see the person again in the next few days.
Breakdown of the Meaning:
回头 (huítóu) – “To look back”
见 (jiàn) – “To meet”
Although its meaning is “see you after I look back,” it’s commonly understood as a way to say “See you later” in spoken Chinese.
Usage Tip:
Since 回头见 (huítóu jiàn) is informal it’s best suited for friend’s colleagues and casual conversations rather than formal settings.
4. Time + 见 (jiàn) – A Simple Way to Say Goodbye in Chinese
Time + 见 (jiàn) See You [at a Specific Time]
If you already know when you’ll meet someone again you can use the “Time + 见 (jiàn)” structure instead of general Chinese goodbye phrases like 再见 (zàijiàn) or 回头见 (huítóu jiàn). This is a common and natural way to say goodbye in Chinese especially in conversations.
How It Works:
Replace “Time” with a specific day or date;
Add 见 (jiàn) at the end.
EXAMPLE:
星期六见。
Xīngqīliù jiàn.
See you on Saturday.
This structure is widely used in daily conversations among friend’s classmates and colleagues when scheduling a future meeting.
5. Bàibài! 拜拜 – A Popular Way to Say “Bye-Bye” in Chinese
拜拜
Bàibài!
Bye-bye!
If you’re looking for a casual and trendy way to say goodbye in Chinese 拜拜 (bàibài) is the perfect choice. This expression is commonly used among young people in China especially under the Western culture.
Usage Tip:
拜拜 (bàibài) is very informal making it best for friend’s classmates and casual conversations. Older generations in China are less likely to use this word as they prefer traditional phrases like 再见 (zàijiàn).
FAQ: Common Ways to Say Goodbye in Chinese
1. How to say goodbye in Chinese?
The most common way to say goodbye in Chinese is 再见 (zàijiàn) which means “see you again” It can be used in both formal and informal situations.
2. How do say “See you later” in Chinese?
You can say 会儿见 (yīhuìr jiàn) which means “See you soon” or “See you later” This is used when you expect to meet the person again shortly.
3. How do you say “See you on a specific day” in Chinese?
Use the “Time + 见 (jiàn)” structure. For example:
- 星期六见 (xīngqīliù jiàn) “See you on Saturday.”
- 明天见 (míngtiān jiàn) “See you tomorrow.”
To find out more interesting and useful Chinese vocabulary, check out one of our blog posts 5 Ways to Eat in Chinese: Takeouts, Dine-in and More
