Пока
The Russian phrase for "bye casually" is Пока.
Пока is primarily used as a farewell. However, depending on the grammatical context of a sentence, it can also mean "while" or "as long as".
Which one should you use?
Пока is informal and should be contrasted with the formal До свидания, which is used in professional or polite settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Пока is an informal way to say goodbye, used with friends, family or peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
Doubling the word to Пока-пока makes the farewell sound even more casual, often used when speaking to children or in a very cute, playful manner.
Did you know?
- Some linguists believe Пока might be a calque, or a direct translation, of the English phrase 'so long'.
- In Russian culture, using Пока with a superior or a stranger can be perceived as a sign of disrespect or an attempt to force an unwanted intimacy.
- Russian speakers often pair Пока with a wave of the hand, but unlike the formal До свидания, it is rarely accompanied by a handshake.
Examples in context
- Пока, увидимся завтра.Poka, uvidimsya zavtra.Bye, see you tomorrow.
- Ну, я пошёл. Пока!Nu, ya poshyol. Poka!Well, I'm off. Bye!
- Пока, хорошего дня!Poka, khoroshego dnya!Bye, have a good day!
Example conversation
Dmitry and Anastasia are leaving a small cafe after meeting for coffee.
- Дмитрий DmitryМне пора бежать. Пока, Анастасия!Mne pora beshat'. Poka, Anastasiya!I have to run. Bye, Anastasia!
- Анастасия AnastasiaХорошо, Дмитрий. Пока!Khorosho, Dmitriy. Poka!Alright, Dmitry. Bye!
- Дмитрий DmitryНапиши мне позже.Napishi mne pozhe.Text me later.
- Анастасия AnastasiaОбязательно. До встречи!Obyazatel'no. Do vstrechi!I will. See you!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries пока, CC BY-SA 4.0.
