להתראות
lehitra'oteveryday
The everyday way to say bye in Hebrew is להתראות (lehitra'ot), "see you later". On Friday evening and Saturday people part with שבת שלום (Shabbat shalom). It is also called ביי (bai) and שלום (shalom).
Meaning: goodbye (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| להתראות | lehitra'ot | everyday |
| ביי | bai | casual |
| שבת שלום | Shabbat shalom | Friday evening and Saturday |
| שלום | shalom | also hello |
Which one should you use?
שלום (shalom) means both hello and goodbye, while להתראות (lehitra'ot) only means goodbye. ביי (bai) is the casual borrowed "bye".
When do people say it?
Shabbat greetings are used by Jewish speakers in Israel and abroad, and they fit even when someone is not religious. Among Yiddish speakers a farewell is Zay gezunt, "be well".
Did you know?
- להתראות (lehitra'ot) literally means "to be seen" and is built on the verb לראות (lir'ot), "to see".
Examples in context
- להתראות מחרlehitra'ot makharSee you tomorrow
- שבת שלום לכולםShabbat shalom lekulamShabbat shalom to everyone
- ביי, נדבר בטלפוןbai, nedaber batelefonBye, we will talk on the phone
Example conversation
Dana says goodbye to her friend Avi on Friday afternoon after a visit.
- Danaתודה על הכול, אבי. להתראות!toda al hakol, Avi. lehitra'ot!Thanks for everything, Avi. See you!
- Aviשבת שלום, דנה.Shabbat shalom, Dana.Shabbat shalom, Dana.
- Danaשבת שלום ולהתראות.Shabbat shalom ulehitra'ot.Shabbat shalom and see you.
