How to Say “Goodbye” in Choctaw

By Russell Isaac • Updated October 1, 2026

Chi pisa la chike

The English phrase goodbye is said in Choctaw as Chi pisa la chike.

Chi pisa la chike is used to say farewell.

Meaning: farewell (intj)

Did you know?

The phrase Chi pisa la chike literally translates to 'You'll see it again', shifting the focus from a departure to a future meeting.
The word pisa used in this farewell is a cognate with the word for 'see' in the Chickasaw and Apalachee languages. This reflects a shared ancestral origin in the Proto-Muskogean language family.
Choctaw is a polysynthetic language, meaning it can pack a large amount of information into a single word or phrase. Chi pisa la chike follows a logic of relationship and action that differs fundamentally from English sentence structure.

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries pisa, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Russell Isaac

Hi there, I'm Russell. When I'm not immersing myself in the beautiful Cherokee language (ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏬᏂᎯᏍᏗ), you can find me out exploring nature or capturing the colors of the sunset on canvas. I'm a passionate language enthusiast, guide to all wanting to learn Cherokee, and a bit of an outdoorsman. My hobbies include bird-watching (ᎯᎳᎳ or "hila"), tracking bison, and trying to congregate with black foxes. I also write guides on Choctaw, another Native American language of the Southeast that I love exploring alongside Cherokee. I'm here to help you navigate the intricacies of the Cherokee language - from the simplest of greetings to expressing grander concepts; who knows, you might end up having a "good day" (ᏚᎾᏕᏘᏯ) in Cherokee sooner than you think!

Russell IsaacHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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