Eight Expressions for "Goodbye" in Chinese(Please share it) You may know how to say goodbye in Chinese - “再见zàijiàn”, but do you know that there are many other interesting ways to say it? Here are 8 frequently used expressions when saying goodbye in Chinese, along with detailed explanations so that you can make sure you’re saying exactly what you want. 1. 再见 (zàijiàn): See you again This is the most common goodbye in Chinese. It’s what you learn on your first day of Chinese class, and you can’t go wrong with it. 再 (zài) means again. 见 (jiàn) means to see someone. So in literal terms, it doesn’t actually mean “goodbye.” It means “See you again.” You say this even if you don’t expect to see someone again. 2. 明天见 (míngtiān jiàn): See you tomorrow This is a spin on 再见 (zàijiàn). Instead of 再 (zài), we have 明天 (míngtiān), which means “tomorrow.” So this means “see you tomorrow.” In contrast to 再见 (zàijiàn), don’t use this unless if you actually expect to see them tomorrow. Otherwise they’ll be confused. 3. 再会！ (zàihuì): Meet you again This is like 再见 (zà jiàn) but isn’t as common. 会 (huì) means to meet. This feels kind of like “catch you later!” 4. 再联系！ (zài liánxì): Let’s stay in touch This is a variation where you emphasize staying in touch, aside from actually meeting each other. 联系 (liánxì) means to contact a person. This word could be used politely by some people even though they don’t really intend to stay in touch. 5. 有空再聊 (yǒukòng zài liáo): When you’re free, let’s chat again This is a very casual way to say goodbye. 有空(yǒu kòng) means to have free time. 聊 (liáo) means to chat. So if you use this phrase, you’ll sound very local and authentic. It’ll also sound like you think the person you’re talking to is your buddy. 6. 我不得不说再见了 (wǒ bùdébù shuō zàijiàn le): I’ve got to go. Now you’re being really thoughtful. This one, which is a mouthful, literally means “I have no choice but to say goodbye.” It is a very nice thing to say, but it doesn’t necessarily sound polite or formal. It’s kind of like when you tell your friends – “listen guys, I’d really love to stay but I just have to go.” 7. 我先告辞了 (wǒ xiān gào cí le): I must leave first (polite) This is a polite and very standard way to leave a social setting. It feels kind of like “pardon me.” Literally, this one means something like “I announce my departure first.” You could use this with your friends and it wouldn’t feel awkward. You would say it casually, but it would still express respect for them. 8. 失陪了 (shī péi le): Sorry for leaving (very polite) This one is the most formal. You could use this with your friends, but it could feel like you’re trying to use it humorously, because it is very polite. Hope that this post on “goodbye” in Chinese can help you leave a good impression with your friends. If you want to know more or have further questions, list a comment below or email me at jennifer.zhu@echineselearning.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 03:58:44 +0000
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