Ways to say it
| Finnish | IPA |
|---|---|
| näkemiin | /ˈnækemiːn/ |
| hyvästi | /ˈhyʋæstiˣ/ |
| kuulemiin | /ˈkuːlemiːn/ |
The phrase is used to express farewell. You can use näkemiin when you expect to see someone again, kuulemiin when you will next communicate via voice or hearing news and hyvästi for permanent or long-term separations. If you are referring to the act of saying goodbye as a noun, use the related forms hyvästit or jäähyväiset.
What does it mean word for word?
The form näkemiin literally means "until seeing (each other)" and is derived from the verb to see. Similarly, kuulemiin literally means "until hearing (each other)" and comes from the verb to hear.
Which one should you use?
Näkemiin is used when you expect to see the person again, whereas hyvästi is much more permanent and implies a final farewell or a death. Use kuulemiin when the next contact will be through the phone or hearing news rather than meeting in person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Näkemiin and hyvästi are formal ways to say goodbye or farewell. In informal daily life, hei hei is the most common way to say bye bye, while moikka is another informal option and heippa is similar to the English "bye" or "see ya".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnækemiːn/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tom tahtoi sanoa hyvästit.Tom wanted to say goodbye.This sentence shows the use of the noun form for the word hyvästi.Tatoeba #3648226 by Silja, translation #2012529 by CK
- Olen tullut sanomaan hyvästi.I've come to say goodbye.Tatoeba #8319706 by Thanuir, translation #64018 by CK
- Näkemiin. Tapaan sinut sopimaamme aikaan.Goodbye. I'll see you at the time we agreed on.This sentence shows a common way to use the formal näkemiin.Tatoeba #2692011 by Kalle63, translation #1276125 by CM
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juho and Anna are leaving a cafe after meeting.
- JuhoNäkemiin, Anna.Goodbye, Anna.
- AnnaNäkemiin, Juho.Goodbye, Juho.
- JuhoMukavaa päivän jatkoa!Have a nice rest of the day!
- AnnaKiitos samoin.Thanks, you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goodbye” translations and entries näkemiin, hyvästi, kuulemiin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hyvästi, kuulemiin, näkemiin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
