How to Say “See You” in French: Formal and Informal Ways

Greetings and farewells are an essential aspect of any language, and expressing a proper “goodbye” is no exception in French. Whether you are bidding adieu to a colleague, friend, or loved one, it’s important to know the appropriate phrases for different situations. In this guide, we’ll explore various ways to say “see you” in French, including formal and informal expressions, along with useful tips and examples.

Formal Ways to Say “See You” in French

When you want to say “see you” in a formal setting, such as a professional environment or to someone you don’t know well, it’s best to use more sophisticated phrases. Here are a few formal options:

1. Au revoir – This is the most commonly used formal way to say “goodbye” or “see you.” It literally translates to “until we see again.” For example, you could say, “Merci pour votre temps. Au revoir” (Thank you for your time. Goodbye).
2. À bientôt – This expression means “see you soon” and is appropriate for situations where you expect to see the person again in the near future. For instance, you might say, “Je suis impatient de vous revoir. À bientôt” (I am looking forward to seeing you again. See you soon).
3. À plus tard – Similar to “À bientôt,” this phrase is used to mean “see you later” when you expect to meet again on the same day or shortly after. For example, you could say, “J’ai une autre réunion maintenant. À plus tard” (I have another meeting now. See you later).
4. À demain – This expression translates to “see you tomorrow” and is a appropriate farewell when you know you will see the person the following day. For instance, you might say, “Bonne nuit ! À demain” (Good night! See you tomorrow).

Informal Ways to Say “See You” in French

When you’re in a casual or friendly setting, it’s common to use less formal expressions to say “see you.” Here are a few informal options:

1. Salue/Salut – “Salue” and “Salut” are both used informally to mean “bye” or “see you.” “Salue” is more common in certain regions like Quebec. For example, you could say, “Je dois y aller maintenant. Salut !” (I have to go now. Bye!)
2. À tout à l’heure – Translating to “see you later” or “see you soon,” this phrase is often used amongst friends or colleagues. It implies meeting again sometime during the same day. For instance, you might say, “Bon, je vais faire les courses. À tout à l’heure !” (Alright, I’m going grocery shopping. See you later!)
3. On se dit à plus – This informal expression is used to mean “see you later” or “catch you later” and is commonly used in everyday interactions. For example, you could say, “J’ai une réunion maintenant, on se dit à plus !”(I have a meeting now, catch you later!)

Tips and Examples:

Here are some additional tips and examples to help you master the art of saying “see you” in French:

• Remember to adjust the phrase according to the time of day. Instead of “Au revoir,” you can say “Bonsoir” (Good evening) in the evening or “Bonne nuit” (Good night) when parting late at night.
• If you want to add warmth to your farewell, you can use endearing terms like “Mon ami(e)” (my friend), “Cher(e)” (dear), or “Ma chérie” (my darling) before the main phrase. For instance, “À plus tard, mon ami” (See you later, my friend).
• When saying “see you tomorrow” formally, you can use “Demain” (tomorrow) instead of “À demain.”
• Regional variations may exist, especially in French-speaking countries outside of France. For example, in Quebec, “Bye” is commonly used alongside French farewells.

“Au revoir, mon ami. Je suis ravi de t’avoir rencontré aujourd’hui. À bientôt!”

“Goodbye, my friend. I’m delighted to have met you today. See you soon!”

Remember, the appropriate expression to use depends on the context, relationship, and level of formality. Hearing native speakers or engaging in conversations with French-speaking friends or colleagues can help you further refine your understanding of the suitable phrases for various situations.

So, whether you find yourself in a formal or informal setting, you can now confidently bid farewell in French using a range of suitable expressions. Bonne chance!