Ways to say it
| Indonesian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| sampai nanti | |
| sampaijumpa (ber) | lagi |
These phrases are used as a way to say goodbye.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sampai nanti literally means 'until later'. The phrase sampai jumpa lagi literally translates to 'until meeting again'.
Which one should you use?
sampai nanti is used when you expect to see the person again later the same day, whereas sampai jumpa lagi is a more general way to say 'see you again'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
sampai nanti is more casual and commonly used among friends or in informal settings. sampai jumpa lagi is more formal and polite than sampai nanti. The phrase sampai jumpa is a common and neutral way to say 'see you later' in formal settings. For a warmer way to say 'see you later' in informal settings, use sampai jumpa lagi. Among friends and peers, sampai ketemu is commonly used to mean 'see you!' If you need to excuse yourself from a formal gathering or meeting, you might use Permisi saya pergi dulu (excuse me, I have to go now).
Did you know?
- While sampai jumpa is a standard goodbye, many Indonesians simply say dah or dadah in casual settings, which is a loanword from the English 'bye-bye'.
- The root of sampai reaches back to Proto-Malayo-Polynesian origins, linking the phrase to ancient seafaring languages of the archipelago.
- In some informal contexts, you might simply say Duluan ya to mean 'I am going ahead/leaving first', which is a very common way to say 'see you later' among friends.
Examples in context
- Sampai nanti, ya!See you later, okay!
- Aku pergi dulu, sampai nanti.I'm leaving now, see you later.
- Oke, sampai nanti di sana.Okay, see you later there.
Example conversation
Budi and Maya are finishing their lunch together.
- MayaAku sudah kenyang, Maya.I am full, Maya.
- MayaAku juga. Ayo kita pulang.Me too. Let's go home.
- BudiSampai nanti di rumah!See you later at home!
- MayaSampai nanti, Budi!See you later, Budi!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “see you later” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nanti, sampai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
