Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tạm biệt | [taːm˧˨ʔ ʔɓiət̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [taːm˨˩ʔ ʔɓiək̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| vĩnh biệt | [vïŋ˦ˀ˥ ʔɓiət̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [vɨn˧˨ ʔɓiək̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| bái bai | Anglicism | |
| bai | [ʔɓaːj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓaːj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
Anglicism |
tạm biệt is used when you are leaving for a while, implying that you will meet again. You can also use the phrase Hẹn gặp lại to mean "see you again" among friends. If you want an informal way to say goodbye among friends or acquaintances, you can use Chào nhé.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tạm biệt is composed of tạm (temporary) and biệt (to part/separate), literally meaning 'to part temporarily'.
Which one should you use?
While tạm biệt implies a temporary parting, vĩnh biệt is used for a final, permanent farewell, such as at a funeral or when someone is leaving forever.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tạm biệt is considered formal or literary. For a more casual and lighthearted tone among friends or when speaking to children, you can use the Anglicism bái bai. There is also a slang, informal version: bai.
Related words
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, people often avoid saying tạm biệt because it can feel too final or formal. Instead, they often say they are 'going' or 'leaving' to make the departure feel more natural.
- The word bái in bái bai is a Sino-Vietnamese word meaning 'to bow' or 'to pay respect'. This creates a phonetic coincidence where a traditional word for bowing sounds like the English word 'bye'.
- Vietnamese speakers often accompany a goodbye with a slight nod of the head or a small bow, especially when speaking to elders, regardless of whether they use tạm biệt or chào.
Examples in context
- Tạm biệt. Hẹn gặp ngày mai.Goodbye. See you tomorrow.This sentence is useful for saying goodbye and expressing the intent to see someone tomorrow using tạm biệt.Tatoeba #8774938 by huyenntm, translation #453072 by CM
- Tôi không bao giờ chào tạm biệt.I never said goodbye.This sentence is useful for stating that one never said a tạm biệt.Tatoeba #14028864 by leucammieuvu, translation #5939629 by CK
- Tạm biệt!Goodbye!This sentence is useful for a simple exclamation of tạm biệt.Tatoeba #10670132 by quoctrong018, translation #516745 by minshirui
- Chào nhé, anh trai! Nếu cần gì, nhớ nhắn tin cho tôi nhé.Bye, bro! If you need anything, remember to text me!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Hương are finishing a formal business meeting.
- HùngTôi xin phép ra về. Tạm biệt chị.I will take my leave now. Goodbye.
- HươngTạm biệt anh Hùng. Hẹn gặp lại sau.Goodbye, Mr. Hùng. See you again later.
- HùngChúc chị một ngày tốt lành.I wish you a wonderful day.
- HươngCảm ơn anh. Anh đi cẩn thận nhé.Thank you. Please travel safely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goodbye” translations and entries tạm biệt, vĩnh biệt, bai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bai, biệt, bái, tạm, tạm biệt, vĩnh biệt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
