French · Real conversations
How to respond to “Au revoir !” in French
A farewell can be brief, friendly, or tied to the situation. It does not require a promise about the next meeting.
What you might hear
Au revoir !
Goodbye!
Choose a reply that fits
Au revoir.
Goodbye.
A simple farewell in a short exchange.
Prends soin de toi.
Take care.
A caring choice with a friend or acquaintance.
Bonne journée.
Have a nice day.
Suitable when ending a daytime interaction.
À bientôt.
See you soon.
Use when another meeting is reasonably expected.
Two short exchanges
Ending a brief interaction
Au revoir !
Goodbye!
Au revoir.
Goodbye.
A friend leaving
Je pars maintenant. Au revoir !
I'm leaving now. Goodbye!
Prends soin de toi.
Take care.
Your turn
End a daytime interaction with a friendly wish.
Reveal a sample reply
Bonne journée.
Have a nice day.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
