German · Real conversations
End a conversation naturally in German
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
Es war schön, mit dir zu reden.
It was nice talking to you.
Close a pleasant conversation with a brief acknowledgment.
Ich sollte mich auf den Weg machen. Bis bald.
I'd better get going. See you soon.
Signal that you need to leave and add a friendly goodbye.
Ich muss wieder an die Arbeit, aber lass uns bald wieder reden.
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
Danke für das Gespräch.
Thanks for the chat.
Es war schön, mit dir zu reden.
It was nice talking to you.
Leaving when invited to stay longer
Möchtest du noch etwas bleiben?
Do you want to stay a little longer?
Ich sollte mich auf den Weg machen. Bis bald.
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
Ich muss wieder an die Arbeit, aber lass uns bald wieder reden.
I have to get back to work, but let's talk again soon.
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
