Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| doeg | /dux/ | |
| dag | /dɑx/ | |
| doei | /dui̯/ | |
| tot ziens | /tɔtˈsins/ | |
| tot weerziens | dated | |
| tot kijk | /tɔt kɛi̯k/ (word by word) | |
| tot gauw | /tɔt ɣɑu̯/ (word by word) | |
| laters | informal | |
| toedels | informal | |
| toedeltjes | informal | |
| toedelpip | informal | |
| toedeloe | /ˌtu.dəˈlu/ | informal |
| toedeledokie | /ˌtu.də.ləˈdoː.ki/ | informal |
| tabee | /taːˈbeː/ | informal |
| adieu | /aːˈdjøː/ /aː.diˈøː/ (uncommon) |
|
| aju | /aːˈjy/ | informal |
| ajuus | /aːˈjys/ | informal, alternative form |
| joe | /ju/ | informal |
| jo | informal | |
| ciao | informal | |
| hoie | Limburgish | |
| houdoe | [ˈɦɑu.du] (Brabantian, East, narrow) [ˈɑu.du] (Brabantian, West, narrow) |
Brabantian |
| moi | /mɔi̯/ /mʋɑ/ |
also, informal |
The various forms of Dutch farewells range from standard greetings like dag and tot ziens to extremely casual slang. Tot later is a versatile phrase meaning 'See you later' that works in both formal and informal settings. If you expect to see someone again within a short period, use tot straks ('See you soon' or 'Until soon'). If you expect to see them very soon, use tot gauw ('See you soon').
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tot ziens literally means 'until seeing' (each other).
Which one should you use?
Tot ziens is more formal than the casual doei or dag. While doei is the informal equivalent to 'Bye' or 'See ya' in English, dag is a standard way to say goodbye or 'Good day' in Flemish.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal and solemn farewell, use vaarwel ('Farewell'). Among informal options, laters is a slangy way to say goodbye often used by younger people. Many other informal options include aju or its alternative spelling ajuus, ciao (borrowed from Italian), joe, jo and tabee. There are also several playful, informal variations such as toedels, toedeltjes, toedelpip, toedeloe and toedeledokie.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the North Brabant province, people characteristically use houdoe. In the Limburg region, you may hear hoie. In Antwerp and parts of East Flanders, the informal aju is used similarly to 'Bye-bye' or 'Cheerio'.
How do you pronounce it?
/dux/
Did you know?
- The casual doeg is actually a dialect variation of dag from the Zaans region that became a national standard.
- The common farewell dag is a linguistic mirror image that functions as both 'hello' and 'goodbye'.
- While tot ziens is standard, the phrase tot kijk literally tells the other person 'until looking'.
Examples in context
- Ik moet nu gaan. Doei!I have to go now. Bye!This sentence is useful for practicing the informal doei.Tatoeba #3175637 by PaulP, translation #2093311 by gleki
- Tot kijk! Hou je goed!Bye! Take care!This sentence shows how to use tot kijk in a friendly farewell.Tatoeba #3849425 by PaulP, translation #3847237 by Luciosp
- Doei.Good-bye!This sentence demonstrates the use of doei as a simple goodbye.Tatoeba #7786495 by Micsmithel, translation #64336 by Zifre
- Dag, bedankt voor uw hulpGoodbye, thank you for your help
- Tot ziens, het was fijn u te ontmoetenGoodbye, it was nice to meet you
- Vaarwel, ik zal u missenFarewell, I will miss you
- Doei, ik spreek je later welBye, I'll talk to you later
- Tot later, veel plezier!See you later, have fun!
- Tot straks, ik kom je later ophalenSee you soon, I'll pick you up later
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Julia are leaving a cafe.
- NoahHet was gezellig, Julia.It was cozy, Julia.
- JuliaJa, zeker! Tot morgen.Yes, definitely! See you tomorrow.
- NoahIs goed. Doeg!Alright. Bye!
- JuliaDoeg, Noah!Bye, Noah!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bye” translations and entries doeg, dag, doei, tot ziens, tot kijk, toedeloe, toedeledokie, tabee, adieu, aju, ajuus, joe, jo, houdoe, moi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tot, kijk, gauw) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dag, doeg, doei, tot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
