French · Real conversations
End a conversation naturally in French
A considerate ending acknowledges the conversation and signals that you are leaving. Mention a reason or another conversation only when it reflects what you actually intend.
Three ways to say it
Ça m'a fait plaisir de discuter avec toi.
It was nice talking to you.
Close a pleasant conversation with a brief acknowledgment.
Je ferais mieux d'y aller. À bientôt.
I'd better get going. See you soon.
Signal that you need to leave and add a friendly goodbye.
Je dois me remettre au travail, mais on se reparle bientôt.
I have to get back to work, but let's talk again soon.
Explain that you must return to work while expressing an intention to talk again.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'I'd better get going' signals that it is time to leave; 'get' is not receiving an object and 'better' is not comparing travel quality. Use the complete leaving expression shown in the target language.
See the difference in context
Closing a short chat
Merci pour la discussion.
Thanks for the chat.
Ça m'a fait plaisir de discuter avec toi.
It was nice talking to you.
Leaving when invited to stay longer
Tu veux rester encore un peu ?
Do you want to stay a little longer?
Je ferais mieux d'y aller. À bientôt.
I'd better get going. See you soon.
Your turn
End a conversation because you need to return to work. Say that you would like to talk again soon.
Reveal a sample reply
Je dois me remettre au travail, mais on se reparle bientôt.
I have to get back to work, but let's talk again soon.
This speaking goal 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.
