salut
/sa.ly/
The French phrase for goodbye informally is salut.
salut is a casual way to say goodbye to friends or people you know well. It is a versatile word that can also be used to mean 'hi' in informal settings.
Which one should you use?
While salut can mean both 'hi' and 'bye', other informal options exist depending on your intent. À plus is used among friends to say goodbye with the intention of meeting again, meaning 'See you later'. À bientôt is a common expression meaning 'See you soon'. Among younger generations, the Italian borrowing Ciao is also frequently used informally.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, Canada, Allô is used as both a greeting and a casual way to say goodbye when speaking on the phone.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of salut is /sa.ly/. It has two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use salut in formal situations like shops or with strangers. In these cases, it can appear rude.
Did you know?
- In French, the noun salut can also mean 'salvation' in a religious context, though this meaning is never used when saying goodbye.
- The phrase À plus is a shortened version of À plus tard, and in very casual texting, French speakers often shorten it further to just A++.
- The word salut shares the same root as the English word 'salute', but in French it has evolved from a formal wish for health and safety into a casual greeting.
Examples in context
- On se voit demain, ciao!See you tomorrow, ciao!
- Je vais prendre le train maintenant. À plus!I'm catching the train now. See you later!
- J'espère te voir bientôt. À bientôt!I hope to see you soon. See you soon!
- Salut, à demain !Bye, see you tomorrow!
- Allez, salut tout le monde.Anyway, bye everyone.
- Salut, je rentre à la maison.Bye, I am going home.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are leaving a small cafe after a chat.
- ManonBon, je dois y aller. Salut Lucas !Well, I have to go. Bye Lucas!
- LucasD'accord, salut Manon. À plus tard !Okay, bye Manon. See you later!
- ManonÀ plus tard, bonne soirée !See you later, have a good evening!
- LucasMerci, toi aussi !Thanks, you too!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry salut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
