How to Say “Goodbye” in Chinese
Greetings and politeness · HSK 1
"Goodbye" in Chinese is 再见 (zài jiàn). 再见 (zài jiàn), literally "see again", is the neutral goodbye used in almost every setting. Among friends, the English-borrowed 拜拜 (bái bái) is more casual.
Primary translation
再见
zài jiàn
Traditional: 再見
Variants by register
Casual
拜拜
bái bái
When to use it
再见 (zài jiàn), literally "see again", is the neutral goodbye used in almost every setting. Among friends, the English-borrowed 拜拜 (bái bái) is more casual. At a formal farewell use 慢走 (màn zǒu, "walk slowly") for someone leaving your home. Business and phone sign-off is often 再联系 (let us stay in touch). For evening goodbyes add 晚安 (wǎn ān, good night).
Example sentences
再见，明天见。
Zàijiàn, míngtiān jiàn.
Goodbye, see you tomorrow.
拜拜，路上小心。
Báibái, lùshang xiǎoxīn.
Bye, be careful on the way.
慢走，常联系。
Màn zǒu, cháng liánxì.
Take care, keep in touch.