Various Ways to Say “Goodbye” in Chinese

The common expressions

再见 (zài jiàn)

This is one of the most common and standard ways to say goodbye, which means Goodbye or See you.

e.g.

A: 再见！ (zài jiàn!) Goodbye!
B: 再见！ (zài jiàn!) Goodbye!

A: 今天的会议就到这里，大家再见。(Jīntiān de huìyì jiù dào zhèlǐ, dàjiā zàijiàn.) That’s it for today’s meeting. Goodbye, everyone.
B: 再见，主任！(Zàijiàn, zhǔrèn!) Goodbye, Director!

A: 我先走了，再见！(Wǒ xiān zǒu le, zàijiàn!) I’m leaving now. Goodbye!
B: 好，回头见！(Hǎo, huítóu jiàn!) Okay, see you later!

拜拜 (bàibài)

“Bye-bye.” This is an informal farewell, often used among friends, peers, or in casual conversations. It’s borrowed from English but is now widely used in spoken Chinese.

e.g.

A: 拜拜! (bàibài!) Goodbye!
B: 拜! (bài!) Goodbye!

A: 我得去赶公交车了，拜拜！(Wǒ děi qù gǎn gōngjiāochē le, bàibài!) I have to catch the bus. Bye!
B: 拜拜，路上小心！(Bàibài, lùshàng xiǎoxīn!) Bye, take care on your way!

A: 晚上视频聊，拜拜！(Wǎnshàng shìpín liáo, bàibài!) Let’s video chat tonight. Bye!
B: 好的，拜拜！(Hǎo de, bàibài!) Sure, bye!

A: 我先去吃饭了，拜拜！(Wǒ xiān qù chīfàn le, bàibài!) I’m going to eat now. Bye!
B: 好的，别忘了给我带点东西。(Hǎo de, bié wàng le gěi wǒ dài diǎn dōngxī.) Okay, don’t forget to bring me something!

The uses in sentences

_______ 见 (jiàn)

This structure is very useful if you know when you will see someone next. As we have already mentioned, 见 means “see”. So if we add an approximate time before 见, it means “see you” at that certain point in time. 

回头见 (huítóu jiàn)

“See you later.” This is a casual way to say goodbye, often implying you’ll meet again later the same day or soon.

e.g.

A: 我先去忙了，回头再聊。(Wǒ xiān qù máng le, huítóu zài liáo.) I’ll go handle some things first. Let’s chat later.
B: 好的，回头见。(Hǎo de, huítóu jiàn.) Okay, see you later.

一会儿见 (yī huǐr jiàn)

“See you in a while.” This is used when you will see the person shortly, within the same day.

e.g.
A: 我去买点东西，一会儿见！(Wǒ qù mǎi diǎn dōngxī, yī huǐr jiàn!) I’m going to buy something. See you in a bit!
B: 好，等你回来。(Hǎo, děng nǐ huílái.) Alright, I’ll wait for you to come back.

明天见 (míngtiān jiàn)

“See you tomorrow.” A straightforward and common way to say goodbye when you’ll see the person the next day.

e.g.
A: 我今天先回家了，明天见！(Wǒ jīntiān xiān huíjiā le, míngtiān jiàn!) I’m heading home now. See you tomorrow!
B: 明天见，路上小心！(Míngtiān jiàn, lùshàng xiǎoxīn!) See you tomorrow, take care on your way!

下午见 (xiàwǔ jiàn)

“See you this afternoon.” This is used when you’ll meet the person later in the afternoon.

e.g.
A: 早上开完会，我下午再找你谈。(Zǎoshang kāiwán huì, wǒ xiàwǔ zài zhǎo nǐ tán.) I’ll talk to you this afternoon after the morning meeting.
B: 好的，下午见。(Hǎo de, xiàwǔ jiàn.) Okay, see you this afternoon.

下周见 (xià zhōu jiàn)

“See you next week.” This is used when you’ll meet someone during the following week.

e.g.
A: 我这周太忙了，我们下周见吧。(Wǒ zhè zhōu tài máng le, wǒmen xià zhōu jiàn ba.) I’m too busy this week. Let’s meet next week.
B: 行，下周见！(Xíng, xià zhōu jiàn!) Alright, see you next week!

The extended phrases to express “Goodbye” in Chinese

When you are in a formal setting, such as a business meeting, you’ll need to use some more polite expressions that have a sincere and professional tone to fit the atmosphere.

失陪（一会儿） (shīpéi yīhuìr)

This phrase means “Excuse me, but I need to leave (for a while).” It is formal and respectful, often used in professional or polite settings. Adding “一会儿” indicates that you will return shortly.

e.g.

A: 大家稍等，我失陪一会儿。(Dàjiā shāoděng, wǒ shīpéi yīhuìr.) Everyone, excuse me for a moment.
B: 好的，您忙。(Hǎo de, nín máng.) Alright, take your time.

A: 会议中途我可能要失陪一下，有急事处理。(Huìyì zhōngtú wǒ kěnéng yào shīpéi yīxià, yǒu jíshì chǔlǐ.) I might need to excuse myself during the meeting to handle an urgent matter.
B: 明白，您去吧。(Míngbái, nín qù ba.) Understood, go ahead.

A: 对不起，我有个电话需要接听，失陪一会儿。(Duìbùqǐ, wǒ yǒu gè diànhuà xūyào jiētīng, shīpéi yīhuìr.) Sorry, I need to take a call. Excuse me for a moment.
B: 没关系，请便。(Méiguānxi, qǐng biàn.) No problem, please go ahead.

再联系 (zài liánxì)

This phrase translates to “Let’s stay in touch.” It is a polite and respectful way to express your intention to maintain contact after parting.

e.g.

A: 今天聊得很愉快，我们改天再联系吧！(Jīntiān liáo de hěn yúkuài, wǒmen gǎitiān zài liánxì ba!) I really enjoyed our chat today. Let’s stay in touch!
B: 好啊，期待下次见面。(Hǎo a, qídài xiàcì jiànmiàn.) Sure, looking forward to next time.

A: 这次合作很愉快，以后有机会再联系。(Zhècì hézuò hěn yúkuài, yǐhòu yǒu jīhuì zài liánxì.) This collaboration was great. Let’s stay in touch in the future.
B: 没问题，有机会再合作。(Méi wèntí, yǒu jīhuì zài hézuò.) No problem, let’s collaborate again sometime.

A: 我还有点事，先走了，咱们微信上再联系！(Wǒ hái yǒu diǎn shì, xiān zǒu le, zánmen Wēixìn shàng zài liánxì!) I have something to do, so I’ll leave first. Let’s stay in touch on WeChat!
B: 好的，慢走。(Hǎo de, màn zǒu.) Sure, take care.

告辞 (gào cí)

This phrase means “I’m leaving” and is very formal, often used in respectful or official settings.

e.g.

A: 时间不早了，我该告辞了。(Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ gāi gào cí le.) It’s getting late. I should be leaving.
B: 好的，路上小心。(Hǎo de, lùshàng xiǎoxīn.) Alright, take care on your way.

A: 我还有其他安排，就先告辞了。(Wǒ hái yǒu qítā ānpái, jiù xiān gào cí le.) I have other plans, so I’ll take my leave now.
B: 理解，有机会再见。(Lǐjiě, yǒu jīhuì zài jiàn.) Understood, see you next time.

A: 各位领导，我告辞了，感谢今天的招待。(Gèwèi lǐngdǎo, wǒ gào cí le, gǎnxiè jīntiān de zhāodài.) Dear leaders, I’m leaving now. Thank you for today’s hospitality.
B: 慢走，欢迎下次再来。(Màn zǒu, huānyíng xiàcì zài lái.) Take care, and you’re welcome to visit again.

（有空）再会 (yǒu kòng zàihuì)

“(If you’re available) let’s catch up later; let’s meet again.” This expression is quite similar to 再见, but it sounds much more polite and sincere. It’s a simple way to sound more fluent and polite when speaking Chinese in a formal setting.

e.g.

A: 我们今天就到这儿了，有空再会。(Wǒmen jīntiān jiù dào zhè’er le, yǒu kòng zàihuì.) Let’s end here for today. Let’s meet again when available.
B: 好的，有时间联系。(Hǎo de, yǒu shíjiān liánxì.) Sure, let’s stay in touch.

A: 这次活动很成功，下次再会！(Zhècì huódòng hěn chénggōng, xiàcì zàihuì!) This event was very successful. Let’s meet again next time!
B: 是的，再会！(Shì de, zàihuì!) Yes, see you again!

A: 谢谢您的帮助，有空再会吧！(Xièxiè nín de bāngzhù, yǒu kòng zàihuì ba!) Thank you for your help. Let’s meet again when we’re free!
B: 不客气，再会！(Bù kèqì, zàihuì!) You’re welcome. See you again!

后会有期 (hòuhuìyǒuqī)

This phrase means “We will meet again one day.” It is a heartfelt farewell, often used when parting without knowing when you’ll meet again.

e.g.

A: 你要出国了，希望后会有期！(Nǐ yào chūguó le, xīwàng hòuhuì yǒuqī!) You’re going abroad. I hope we’ll meet again someday!
B: 一定会的，保重！(Yīdìng huì de, bǎozhòng!) We definitely will. Take care!

A: 再见了，朋友，后会有期。(Zàijiàn le, péngyǒu, hòuhuì yǒuqī.) Goodbye, my friend. We’ll meet again someday.
B: 后会有期，祝你一路顺风。(Hòuhuì yǒuqī, zhù nǐ yīlù shùnfēng.) Farewell. Wishing you a safe journey.

A: 我们后会有期。(Wǒmen hòuhuì yǒuqī.) We will meet again someday.
B: 珍重！(Zhēnzhòng!) Take care!