How to Say Goodbye in Chinese is an essential phrase to learn if you want to leave a conversation politely and respectfully. If you’re saying goodbye to a friend, colleague, or someone you just met, Chinese offers a variety of expressions for different situations.
From casual farewells to formal goodbyes, choosing the right phrase shows cultural awareness and good manners. In this guide, you’ll discover the top polite ways to say goodbye in Chinese and when to use each one correctly.
Mastering how to say goodbye in Chinese helps you make a strong final impression. It also shows your effort to connect respectfully with native speakers.
Goodbye in Chinese Examples
Here are 15 different ways to say goodbye in Chinese, complete with example dialogues and cultural or historical notes to help you use each one with confidence.
1. 再见 (zài jiàn) — Goodbye / See you again
Origin:
Literally means “see again.” This is the standard and most commonly taught way to say goodbye in Mandarin.
Example:
👤 User A: 好了，我得走了。(Hǎo le, wǒ děi zǒu le.) – Alright, I have to go.
👤 User B: 好的，再见！(Hǎo de, zài jiàn!) – Okay, goodbye!
Use: Neutral; appropriate for almost all settings.
2. 拜拜 (bài bài) — Bye-bye
Origin:
Borrowed from English “bye-bye” and adapted to Chinese pronunciation. It’s very casual.
Example:
👤 User A: 我走啦！(Wǒ zǒu la!) – I’m heading out!
👤 User B: 拜拜～(Bài bài~) – Bye!
Use: Informal, friendly, especially among young people.
3. 回头见 (huí tóu jiàn) — See you later
Origin:
Literally “see you when we turn around,” a casual way to say you’ll see someone soon.
Example:
👤 User A: 我去买个东西，回头见！(Wǒ qù mǎi gè dōngxi, huí tóu jiàn!) – I’m going to buy something, see you later!
👤 User B: 好的！(Hǎo de!) – Alright!
Use: Informal and relaxed.
4. 一路平安 (yí lù píng ān) — Safe journey
Origin:
A traditional farewell blessing used when someone is traveling.
Example:
👤 User A: 我要出差了。(Wǒ yào chūchāi le.) – I’m going on a business trip.
👤 User B: 一路平安！(Yí lù píng’ān!) – Have a safe trip!
Use: Respectful and thoughtful; used when someone is departing for travel.
5. 保重 (bǎo zhòng) — Take care
Origin:
A meaningful expression, often used when you don’t expect to see someone for a while.
Example:
👤 User A: 我要搬去国外了。(Wǒ yào bān qù guówài le.) – I’m moving abroad.
👤 User B: 保重！(Bǎo zhòng!) – Take care!
Use: Warm, emotional; used in more heartfelt partings.
6. 下次见 (xià cì jiàn) — See you next time
Origin:
Literally “next time meet.” Used to express optimism about future meetings.
Example:
👤 User A: 这次聚会很棒！(Zhè cì jùhuì hěn bàng!) – This party was great!
👤 User B: 是啊，下次见！(Shì a, xià cì jiàn!) – Yeah, see you next time!
Use: Casual, suitable for friends and acquaintances.
7. 明天见 (míng tiān jiàn) — See you tomorrow
Origin:
A straightforward time-based goodbye.
Example:
👤 User A: 明天上课见！(Míngtiān shàngkè jiàn!) – See you in class tomorrow!
👤 User B: 明天见！(Míngtiān jiàn!) – See you tomorrow!
Use: Everyday and specific; good for classmates, coworkers.
8. 回见 (huí jiàn) — See you later
Origin:
Another short, modern way of saying “see you again.”
Example:
👤 User A: 我先走了，回见！(Wǒ xiān zǒu le, huí jiàn!) – I’m off now, see you!
👤 User B: 好的～(Hǎo de~) – Okay!
Use: Friendly and casual.
9. 再会 (zài huì) — Farewell
Origin:
An older term, somewhat poetic or literary, still seen in books or formal speeches.
Example:
👤 User A: 我们有缘再会！(Wǒmen yǒu yuán zài huì!) – We’ll meet again if fate allows!
👤 User B: 是的，再会！(Shì de, zài huì!) – Yes, farewell!
Use: Formal or old-fashioned.
10. 走啦！(zǒu la!) — I’m off!
Origin:
Very common, casual expression meaning “I’m leaving!”
Example:
👤 User A: 我走啦！(Wǒ zǒu la!) – I’m off!
👤 User B: 好，拜拜！(Hǎo, bài bài!) – Okay, bye!
Use: Informal, mostly spoken.
11. 告辞 (gào cí) — Take leave (formal)
Origin:
A classical term, still used in polite or official contexts, especially in formal situations.
Example:
👤 User A: 时间不早，我告辞了。(Shíjiān bù zǎo, wǒ gàocí le.) – It’s getting late, I’ll take my leave.
👤 User B: 慢走！(Màn zǒu!) – Take care!
Use: Formal and respectful; used in business or traditional settings.
12. 慢走 (màn zǒu) — Walk slowly / Take care
Origin:
Polite expression used when someone is leaving, often used by hosts. Literally means “walk slowly.”
Example:
👤 User A: 我该走了。(Wǒ gāi zǒu le.) – I should get going.
👤 User B: 好的，慢走！(Hǎo de, màn zǒu!) – Okay, take care!
Use: Polite and considerate; common in daily interactions.
13. 先走了 (xiān zǒu le) — I’ll leave first
Origin:
Literally means “leave first,” used when excusing yourself from a group or event.
Example:
👤 User A: 我还有事，先走了。(Wǒ hái yǒu shì, xiān zǒu le.) – I’ve got things to do, I’ll leave first.
👤 User B: 行，路上小心。(Xíng, lùshàng xiǎoxīn.) – Alright, be careful on the way.
Use: Polite, yet informal.
14. 再联系 (zài liánxì) — Let’s keep in touch
Origin:
Used when parting from someone you hope to contact again soon.
Example:
👤 User A: 项目结束后，我们再联系！(Xiàngmù jiéshù hòu, wǒmen zài liánxì!) – Let’s reconnect after the project.
👤 User B: 好的，再联系！(Hǎo de, zài liánxì!) – Sure, let’s keep in touch!
Use: Friendly and slightly formal.
15. 后会有期 (hòu huì yǒu qī) — We’ll meet again (if fate allows)
Origin:
A poetic and literary phrase often used in farewells that carry emotional or dramatic weight.
Example:
👤 User A: 后会有期，朋友！(Hòu huì yǒuqī, péngyǒu!) – Until we meet again, my friend!
👤 User B: 保重！(Bǎo zhòng!) – Take care!
Use: Formal, poetic, emotional.
Conclusion:
Now that you’ve learned how to say goodbye in Chinese, you’re ready to end conversations with the right tone—whether formal, polite, or casual. Using phrases like “再见” (zài jiàn) or “回头见” (huí tóu jiàn) shows that you not only understand the language but also respect the culture.
Keep practicing these farewells in real-life situations to make every goodbye feel natural and respectful.
Saying goodbye properly leaves a lasting, positive impression—so don’t underestimate its power!
