Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| auf Wiedersehen | /aʊ̯f ˈviːdɐˌzeː(ə)n/ (Germany) /aʊ̯f ˈviːdɐˌseː(ɛ)n/ (Austria, Southern Germany, Switzerland) |
|
| auf Wiederhören | ||
| tschüss | /t͡ʃʏs/ | informal |
| tschau (ciao) | informal | |
| Gott befohlen | dated | |
| adieu | /aˈdjøː/ | dated |
| lebe wohl | ||
| auf Wiederschauen | /aʊ̯f ˈviːdɐˌʃaʊ̯ən/ | Austria |
German offers several ways to say goodbye depending on the medium of communication and the level of intimacy. Auf Wiedersehen is a common formal way to say goodbye, meaning "Until we see each other again". For casual, everyday situations among friends or acquaintances, tschüss or tschau (ciao) are standard. If you are parting in a way that implies a permanent or long-term separation, lebe wohl is used, which carries a heavy and dramatic weight. For a very old-fashioned way to say goodbye, you might encounter Gott befohlen or the French-borrowed adieu.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase auf Wiedersehen literally means "until seeing again".
Which one should you use?
While auf Wiedersehen is used when you expect to see the person again, auf Wiederhören is used specifically when ending a telephone conversation, meaning "until hearing again". In terms of social context, auf Wiedersehen is the formal choice, whereas tschüss is the standard informal way to say goodbye.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Auf Wiedersehen is appropriate for formal or professional settings. For informal settings and casual, everyday situations, use tschüss or tschau (ciao). The word adieu is a formal term borrowed from French used in certain parts of Germany, while Gott befohlen is a dated expression.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austria, the variant auf Wiederschauen is commonly used. In southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the informal variation tschö is often heard.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/aʊ̯f ˈviːdɐˌzeː(ə)n/
Did you know?
- The casual tschüss has an unexpected journey, having traveled from Spanish adiós or French adieu through Dutch before arriving in German.
- The phrase lebe wohl is so heavy with finality that using it in a professional setting could be interpreted as a dramatic bridge-burning or a permanent resignation.
- The archaic Gott befohlen literally means 'commended to God', reflecting a time when parting was viewed as a spiritual entrustment.
Examples in context
- Tschüss und viel Glück!Goodbye and good luck.This sentence shows how to use tschüss in a friendly parting.Tatoeba #485474 by Espi, translation #434818 by lukaszpp
- Lebe wohl, grausame Welt!Goodbye, cruel world.This sentence demonstrates the dramatic weight of lebe wohl.Tatoeba #5598769 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2297079 by Hybrid
- Auf Wiedersehen, bis morgen.Goodbye till tomorrow.This sentence illustrates the use of auf Wiedersehen when mentioning a future meeting.Tatoeba #485463 by Espi, translation #54011 by CK
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are leaving a formal business meeting.
- SarahEs war schön, Sie kennenzulernen.It was nice to meet you.
- JulianGanz meinerseits. Auf Wiedersehen, Frau Schmidt.Likewise. Goodbye, Ms. Schmidt.
- SarahAuf Wiedersehen, Herr Weber.Goodbye, Mr. Weber.
- JulianEinen schönen Tag noch!Have a nice day!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goodbye” translations and entries auf Wiedersehen, auf Wiederhören, tschüss, auf Wiederschauen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry Adieu.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wiederhören, Wiedersehen, auf, auf Wiederhören, auf Wiederschauen, auf Wiedersehen, tschüss, wiedersehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
