Saying “See You Later” in French: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to say “see you later” in French is essential for anyone wanting to communicate effectively and naturally. This seemingly simple phrase has several variations, each with its own nuance and appropriate context.

Mastering these expressions will not only enhance your French conversation skills but also allow you to better understand and appreciate the cultural subtleties of the language. This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, and will provide a comprehensive overview of the different ways to say “see you later” in French, along with practical examples, usage rules, and common mistakes to avoid.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition and Overview
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories
  • À bientôt
  • À plus
  • À tout à l’heure
  • À demain
  • Au revoir
  • Salut
  • Bonne journée/Bonne soirée
  • Polite Expressions
• Examples
  • À bientôt Examples
  • À plus Examples
  • À tout à l’heure Examples
  • À demain Examples
  • Au revoir Examples
  • Salut Examples
  • Bonne journée/Bonne soirée Examples
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition and Overview

The concept of saying “see you later” in French involves more than just a direct translation. It requires understanding the nuances of different expressions and choosing the appropriate one based on the context, the relationship between the speakers, and the expected time until the next meeting. The most common translations include à bientôt, à plus, à tout à l’heure, à demain, and au revoir. Each of these phrases carries a slightly different meaning and is used in specific situations.

Classification: These expressions fall under the category of parting phrases or farewells in French. They serve the function of concluding a conversation and indicating an expectation of future contact. The choice of phrase reflects the anticipated timeframe of the next encounter and the level of formality between the speakers.

Function: The primary function of these phrases is to signal the end of a conversation or interaction. They also convey a sense of goodwill and anticipation of future interaction. The specific phrase used can also indicate the level of formality and the nature of the relationship between the speakers. For example, using au revoir is generally more formal than using salut.

Contexts: The appropriate context for each phrase varies. À bientôt is a general “see you soon.” À plus is informal, similar to “later.” À tout à l’heure means “see you in a little while.” À demain means “see you tomorrow.” And Au revoir is a formal “goodbye.” Understanding these contexts is crucial for effective communication.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of these phrases is generally simple. Most consist of a preposition (à or au) followed by an adverb or noun indicating time. For example:

• À + adverb/noun: This is the most common structure. À means “to” or “until,” and it’s followed by a word indicating the time of the next meeting.
• Au + revoir: This is a fixed expression. Au revoir literally means “to the seeing again.”
• Bonne + noun: This structure is used to wish someone a good day or evening.

The preposition à contracts with the definite article le to form au. This is why we say au revoir and not à le revoir. Understanding these basic structural elements helps in recognizing and using these phrases correctly.

The tense is generally implied to be in the future. While not explicitly stated, the phrases suggest a future meeting or encounter.

This is a key characteristic of these farewell expressions.

Types and Categories

There are several ways to say “see you later” in French, each with its own specific meaning and usage. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones:

À bientôt

À bientôt is the most versatile and commonly used phrase, meaning “see you soon.” It is suitable for both formal and informal situations when you expect to see someone again in the near future, but without specifying a precise time.

À plus

À plus is an informal abbreviation of à plus tard, meaning “see you later.” It is used among friends and acquaintances in casual settings. It’s similar to saying “later” or “see ya” in English.

À tout à l’heure

À tout à l’heure means “see you in a little while” or “see you shortly.” Use this phrase when you expect to see someone again within a few hours on the same day. It implies a relatively short period of time.

À demain

À demain directly translates to “see you tomorrow.” It is used when you know you will see the person again the next day.

Au revoir

Au revoir is the most formal way to say “goodbye” in French. It can be used in any situation, but it is particularly appropriate when you are unsure when you will see the person again or in more formal settings.

Salut

Salut is an interesting case because it can mean both “hello” and “goodbye.” As a “see you later,” it is informal and implies a friendly, casual relationship. It’s similar to saying “bye” or “cheers” in English.

Bonne journée/Bonne soirée

Bonne journée means “have a good day,” and bonne soirée means “have a good evening.” These phrases are often used when departing, especially in shops or restaurants, and can be considered a polite way of saying “goodbye” or “see you later.”

Polite Expressions

Adding polite expressions can enhance any farewell. Phrases like Merci (thank you), Au plaisir (with pleasure), and Prenez soin de vous (take care) add a layer of courtesy to your parting words.

Examples

The following tables provide examples of how to use each phrase in different contexts. Each table includes a scenario, the appropriate phrase, and an English translation.

À bientôt Examples

This table illustrates the use of “À bientôt” in various scenarios, showing its versatility in different contexts.

Scenario	French Phrase	English Translation
Leaving a colleague after a meeting.	À bientôt, Marie!	See you soon, Marie!
Saying goodbye to a neighbor you often see.	À bientôt, Monsieur Dupont.	See you soon, Mr. Dupont.
Ending a phone call with a friend.	Bon, à bientôt!	Okay, see you soon!
Leaving a shop after making a purchase.	Merci, à bientôt!	Thank you, see you soon!
Saying goodbye after a casual encounter.	D’accord, à bientôt!	Alright, see you soon!
After making plans to meet up again.	Super, à bientôt alors!	Great, see you soon then!
When you expect to see someone within the week.	Je te dis à bientôt!	I’ll say see you soon!
Ending a conversation with a family member.	Bisous, à bientôt!	Kisses, see you soon!
Leaving a class or workshop.	À bientôt tout le monde!	See you soon everyone!
When you don’t know exactly when you’ll meet again.	Alors, à bientôt j’espère!	So, see you soon, I hope!
Parting ways after a brief visit.	C’était sympa, à bientôt!	It was nice, see you soon!
Concluding an email.	À bientôt, et merci encore!	See you soon, and thanks again!
After arranging a future meeting.	Parfait, à très bientôt!	Perfect, see you very soon!
Leaving a social gathering.	À bientôt, et amusez-vous bien!	See you soon, and have fun!
When you are looking forward to the next meeting.	J’ai hâte, à bientôt!	I can’t wait, see you soon!
Ending a video call.	À bientôt pour de nouvelles aventures!	See you soon for new adventures!
When you’re unsure but hopeful about seeing them.	On se dit à bientôt, peut-être!	We’ll say see you soon, maybe!
Leaving a community event.	À bientôt, et merci pour tout!	See you soon, and thank you for everything!
After receiving help from someone.	Merci encore, à bientôt!	Thanks again, see you soon!
When you plan to keep in touch.	À bientôt, on reste en contact!	See you soon, we’ll stay in touch!

À plus Examples

This table showcases the informal nature of “À plus,” appropriate for casual farewells among friends.

Scenario	French Phrase	English Translation
Leaving a friend after hanging out.	À plus!	Later!
Saying goodbye to a classmate after school.	À plus tard!	See you later!
Ending a text message conversation.	Ok, à plus!	Okay, later!
Leaving a casual gathering with friends.	Bon, à plus tout le monde!	Okay, later everyone!
Saying goodbye to a teammate after practice.	À plus à l’entraînement!	See you later at practice!
When leaving a video game session.	À plus sur le jeu!	See you later on the game!
Quickly signing off from an online chat.	À plus dans le bus!	See you later! (humorous)
After making loose plans to reconnect.	À plus, peut-être!	See you later, maybe!
Leaving a casual workspace.	À plus les collègues!	Later colleagues!
When you’re just popping out briefly.	À plus, je reviens!	Later, I’ll be back!
Ending a brief phone call with a friend.	Allez, à plus!	Alright, later!
After a quick visit with someone.	À plus, c’était cool!	Later, that was cool!
When you know you’ll see them around.	À plus dans le quartier!	See you later around the neighborhood!
Leaving a relaxed meeting.	À plus, à la prochaine!	Later, until next time!
When you’re heading out for the day.	À plus, bonne journée!	Later, have a good day!
Signing off from a casual email.	À plus, j’espère!	Later, I hope!
When you expect to see them frequently.	À plus, on se croise!	Later, we’ll run into each other!
Leaving a friend’s house.	À plus chez toi!	Later at your place!
After a shared activity.	À plus pour une autre fois!	Later for another time!
While running errands and knowing you’ll bump into someone.	À plus, en ville!	Later, in town!

À tout à l’heure Examples

This table demonstrates the use of “À tout à l’heure” when you expect to see someone again very soon, typically within the same day.

Scenario	French Phrase	English Translation
Leaving someone briefly to run an errand.	À tout à l’heure, je reviens vite!	See you in a little while, I’ll be right back!
Saying goodbye before a short break at work.	À tout à l’heure, pause café!	See you in a little while, coffee break!
Ending a conversation knowing you’ll see them later that day.	D’accord, à tout à l’heure alors!	Okay, see you in a little while then!
Leaving for lunch when you’ll return to the office.	À tout à l’heure, bon appétit!	See you in a little while, enjoy your meal!
Saying goodbye before going to another meeting.	À tout à l’heure pour la suite!	See you in a little while for the rest!
When you’re stepping out for a moment during a gathering.	À tout à l’heure, je vais chercher les boissons!	See you in a little while, I’m going to get the drinks!
Ending a phone call when you’ll meet up shortly.	Parfait, à tout à l’heure au café!	Perfect, see you in a little while at the café!
When you’re briefly leaving a group activity.	À tout à l’heure, je vais aux toilettes!	See you in a little while, I’m going to the restroom!
Saying goodbye before a short intermission.	À tout à l’heure, on se retrouve après l’entracte!	See you in a little while, we’ll meet after the intermission!
When you know you’ll see them at the next class.	À tout à l’heure en cours!	See you in a little while in class!
Leaving to run a quick errand nearby.	À tout à l’heure, je vais à la boulangerie!	See you in a little while, I’m going to the bakery!
Ending a conversation knowing you’ll see them at dinner.	À tout à l’heure pour le dîner!	See you in a little while for dinner!
When you’re stepping out for a short smoke break.	À tout à l’heure, pause cigarette!	See you in a little while, cigarette break!
Saying goodbye before a brief shopping trip.	À tout à l’heure, je vais faire quelques courses!	See you in a little while, I’m going to do some shopping!
When you know you’ll see them at the next event.	À tout à l’heure au concert!	See you in a little while at the concert!
Leaving someone to answer the door.	À tout à l’heure, je vais ouvrir!	See you in a little while, I’m going to open the door!
Ending a conversation knowing you’ll see them at the meeting.	À tout à l’heure à la réunion!	See you in a little while at the meeting!
When you’re stepping out to make a quick phone call.	À tout à l’heure, je vais téléphoner!	See you in a little while, I’m going to make a phone call!
Saying goodbye before a short walk.	À tout à l’heure, je vais me promener!	See you in a little while, I’m going for a walk!
When you know you’ll see them at the party later.	À tout à l’heure à la fête!	See you in a little while at the party!

À demain Examples

This table illustrates the specific use of “À demain” when you know you will see someone again the next day.

Scenario	French Phrase	English Translation
Leaving a colleague at the end of the workday.	À demain, bon courage pour ce soir!	See you tomorrow, good luck tonight!
Saying goodbye to a classmate after school.	À demain en classe!	See you tomorrow in class!
Ending a phone call with a friend knowing you’ll meet tomorrow.	À demain alors, à la même heure!	See you tomorrow then, at the same time!
Leaving a neighbor after an evening chat.	À demain, bonne nuit!	See you tomorrow, good night!
Saying goodbye to a family member at night.	À demain matin!	See you tomorrow morning!
Leaving a study group at the library.	À demain pour la révision!	See you tomorrow for the review!
Ending a meeting with the agreement to continue tomorrow.	À demain pour la suite de la discussion!	See you tomorrow for the rest of the discussion!
Leaving a sports team practice.	À demain à l’entraînement!	See you tomorrow at practice!
Saying goodbye after a day of volunteering.	À demain au bénévolat!	See you tomorrow at volunteering!
Leaving a club meeting.	À demain au club!	See you tomorrow at the club!
Ending the day with coworkers.	À demain au bureau!	See you tomorrow at the office!
Saying goodbye after a daily language exchange session.	À demain pour l’échange linguistique!	See you tomorrow for the language exchange!
Leaving a daily exercise class.	À demain au cours de sport!	See you tomorrow at the sports class!
Ending a nightly video call.	À demain pour notre appel!	See you tomorrow for our call!
Saying goodbye after a book club meeting.	À demain au club de lecture!	See you tomorrow at the book club!
Leaving a regular gaming group.	À demain pour jouer!	See you tomorrow to play!
Ending a regular crafting session.	À demain pour le bricolage!	See you tomorrow for crafting!
Saying goodbye knowing you’ll work together the next day.	À demain au travail ensemble!	See you tomorrow working together!
Leaving a daily music practice.	À demain pour la musique!	See you tomorrow for music!
Ending a regular cooking session.	À demain pour cuisiner!	See you tomorrow to cook!

Au revoir Examples

This table illustrates the use of “Au revoir” in more formal situations or when you are unsure when you will see the person again.

Scenario	French Phrase	English Translation
Leaving a business meeting.	Au revoir, Monsieur le Directeur.	Goodbye, Mr. Director.
Saying goodbye to a client after a transaction.	Au revoir, et merci de votre visite.	Goodbye, and thank you for your visit.
Ending a formal phone call.	Au revoir, Madame.	Goodbye, Madam.
Leaving a store without making a purchase.	Au revoir, merci quand même.	Goodbye, thank you anyway.
Saying goodbye to someone you may not see again.	Au revoir, et bonne continuation.	Goodbye, and good luck.
Leaving a formal event.	Au revoir, et merci pour l’invitation.	Goodbye, and thank you for the invitation.
Ending a professional email correspondence.	Cordialement, au revoir.	Sincerely, goodbye.
Saying goodbye to a service provider.	Au revoir, et à une prochaine fois.	Goodbye, and until next time.
Leaving a doctor’s office.	Au revoir, Docteur.	Goodbye, Doctor.
Ending a formal interview.	Au revoir, et merci pour votre temps.	Goodbye, and thank you for your time.
Leaving a government office.	Au revoir, Monsieur.	Goodbye, Sir.
Saying goodbye after receiving assistance.	Au revoir, et merci pour votre aide.	Goodbye, and thank you for your help.
Leaving a cultural institution.	Au revoir, et merci pour cette belle visite.	Goodbye, and thank you for this wonderful visit.
Ending a formal speech.	Au revoir, mesdames et messieurs.	Goodbye, ladies and gentlemen.
Saying goodbye to a landlord.	Au revoir, et merci pour tout.	Goodbye, and thank you for everything.
Leaving a legal office.	Au revoir, Maître.	Goodbye, Lawyer.
Saying goodbye after a formal consultation.	Au revoir, et merci pour vos conseils.	Goodbye, and thank you for your advice.
Leaving a school after a parent-teacher conference.	Au revoir, et merci pour votre soutien.	Goodbye, and thank you for your support.
Saying goodbye after a religious service.	Au revoir, et que Dieu vous bénisse.	Goodbye, and may God bless you.
Leaving a formal reception.	Au revoir, et merci pour cette agréable soirée.	Goodbye, and thank you for this pleasant evening.

Salut Examples

This table shows how ‘Salut’ is used as an informal ‘see you later’ amongst friends and peers.

Scenario	French Phrase	English Translation
Leaving a friend’s apartment.	Salut, à la prochaine!	Bye, see you next time!
Ending a casual phone call.	Salut, on se reparle!	Bye, we’ll talk again!
Saying goodbye after playing video games.	Salut, c’était cool!	Bye, that was cool!
Leaving a casual get-together.	Salut tout le monde!	Bye everyone!
Saying goodbye to a close coworker.	Salut, à plus au boulot!	Bye, see you later at work!
Leaving after sharing a meal with friends.	Salut, merci pour le repas!	Bye, thanks for the meal!
Ending a text message conversation.	Salut, à bientôt!	Bye, see you soon!
Saying goodbye on a social media post.	Salut les amis!	Bye friends!
Leaving after a study session.	Salut, bon courage pour les exams!	Bye, good luck with the exams!
Saying goodbye before heading to bed.	Salut, bonne nuit!	Bye, good night!
Leaving a casual meeting with peers.	Salut, à la prochaine réunion!	Bye, see you at the next meeting!
Ending a conversation after a quick chat.	Salut, on se tient au courant!	Bye, we’ll keep in touch!
Saying goodbye before going on vacation.	Salut, bonnes vacances!	Bye, happy holidays!
Leaving after helping a friend.	Salut, content d’avoir aidé!	Bye, glad I could help!
Saying goodbye before starting a new project.	Salut, bon courage pour ton projet!	Bye, good luck with your project!
Leaving after a fun activity.	Salut, c’était super!	Bye, that was great!
Ending a conversation after making plans.	Salut, à samedi!	Bye, see you Saturday!
Saying goodbye before a concert.	Salut, amuse-toi bien au concert!	Bye, have fun at the concert!
Leaving after a workout session.	Salut, à la prochaine séance!	Bye, see you at the next session!
Ending a conversation before starting a movie.	Salut, bon film!	Bye, enjoy the movie!

Bonne journée/Bonne soirée Examples

This table demonstrates how to use “Bonne journée” and “Bonne soirée” as polite farewells, especially in commercial or service contexts.

Scenario	French Phrase	English Translation
A shopkeeper saying goodbye to a customer during the day.	Bonne journée, Madame!	Have a good day, Madam!
A waiter saying goodbye to diners in the evening.	Bonne soirée, Monsieur et Madame!	Have a good evening, Sir and Madam!
A receptionist saying goodbye to a visitor during the day.	Bonne journée, et merci de votre visite!	Have a good day, and thank you for your visit!
A bartender saying goodbye to a patron in the evening.	Bonne soirée, et à bientôt!	Have a good evening, and see you soon!
A taxi driver dropping off a passenger during the day.	Bonne journée, et prudence sur la route!	Have a good day, and drive safely!
A hotel concierge saying goodbye to a guest in the evening.	Bonne soirée, et profitez de votre séjour!	Have a good evening, and enjoy your stay!
A library staff member saying goodbye during opening hours.	Bonne journée, et bonne lecture!	Have a good day, and happy reading!
A museum guide saying goodbye at the end of a tour.	Bonne soirée, et merci de votre attention!	Have a good evening, and thank you for your attention!
A bus driver saying goodbye to passengers during the day.	Bonne journée à tous!	Have a good day everyone!
A theatre usher saying goodbye after a performance.	Bonne soirée, et à la prochaine!	Have a good evening, and until next time!
A store clerk saying goodbye at closing time.	Bonne soirée, et à demain!	Have a good evening, and see you tomorrow!

Usage Rules

To use these phrases effectively, keep the following rules in mind:

• Formality: Au revoir is the most formal. Salut and à plus are informal. Choose your phrase based on your relationship with the person and the setting.
• Timeframe: À tout à l’heure is for a very short time. À demain is specifically for the next day. À bientôt is general.
• Politeness: Adding merci or other polite expressions can make your farewell more courteous.
• Context: Pay attention to the context of the conversation and the situation. This will help you choose the most appropriate phrase.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when saying “see you later” in French:

• Using au revoir in informal settings: This can sound overly formal or stiff among friends.
• Using salut in formal settings: This is inappropriate in professional or formal situations.
• Confusing à tout à l’heure and à bientôt: Remember that à tout à l’heure is for a very short time, while à bientôt is more general.
• Forgetting to use bonne journée/bonne soirée appropriately: These are best used when you want to wish someone a good day or evening, not as a direct replacement for “goodbye.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises:

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, consider these nuances:

• Regional variations: Some expressions may be more common in certain regions of France or other French-speaking countries.
• Informal slang: There are even more informal ways to say “see you later” in French slang, such as “Tchao” (borrowed from Italian “Ciao”).
• Combining phrases: You can combine phrases for emphasis or politeness, such as “Au revoir, et à bientôt!”

FAQ

Is “adieu” a common way to say goodbye in French?

Adieu is a very formal and final way of saying goodbye. It implies that you may never see the person again. It’s not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Can I use “Ciao” in French?

Ciao is borrowed from Italian and is sometimes used informally, particularly among younger people. However, it’s not as common or widely accepted as other French expressions.

What is the difference between “à plus tard” and “à bientôt”?

À plus tard and à bientôt are similar, but à plus tard is slightly more informal. À bientôt is a safe choice in most situations, while à plus tard is best used among friends.

How do I say “see you later” in French in an email?

In an email, you can use à bientôt for a general “see you soon.” For more formal emails, you can use Cordialement or Sincèrement followed by your name.

Is “à un de ces jours” a common expression?

Yes, à un de ces jours (literally, “to one of these days”) is a common expression, especially when you don’t have a specific plan to meet but you want to express the intention of seeing the person again sometime in the future. It’s similar to saying “see you around” in English.

Conclusion

Mastering the various ways to say “see you later” in French is crucial for effective communication and cultural understanding. By understanding the nuances of each phrase and using them appropriately, you can enhance your conversations and build stronger relationships with French speakers. Whether you choose the formal au revoir or the casual à plus, your parting words will leave a lasting impression.