Chinese phrases
How to say goodbye in Chinese
Goodbye in Chinese is 再见 (zài jiàn), literally “see again.” Day to day, people say 拜拜 even more.
再见
goodbye; see you again
Ways to say goodbye
再见
Everydaygoodbye
Right everywhere: shops, classes, calls with people you don’t know well.
拜拜
With friendsbye-bye
From English. Everyone says it: friends, family, even shop staff.
明天见
Everydaysee you tomorrow
When you know you’ll meet tomorrow. Swap the time: 下周见 is “see you next week.”
回头见
With friendssee you later
Casual, when you’ll meet again soon but not at a set time.
我先走了
EverydayI’m heading off
What you say when you leave first: at work, at a dinner, at a party.
慢走
Everydaytake care (to a leaving guest)
The host says it at the door, and shop staff say it as you leave. The guest doesn’t say it back.
886
Textingbye-bye (in numbers)
Chat slang: 8-8-6 sounds like “bye-bye-le.” A bit dated, but still around.
Common mistakes
Saying 再见 to close friends
It’s correct but sounds a little formal. Friends say 拜拜, 走了 or 回头见.
Answering 慢走 with 慢走
Only the person who stays says 慢走. As the guest, answer 好，再见, or 别送了, “no need to see me out.”
Leaving a dinner
我先走了。
Leon: I’ll head off now.
好，慢走！
Host: OK, take care!
拜拜！
Leon: Bye!
