How to Say Goodbye in Chinese Like a Native

Want to know how to say goodbye in Chinese? The most common way is 再见 (zàijiàn). It means “goodbye” or “see you again.”

But Mandarin speakers use different phrases in different situations. You might say goodbye to a friend, end a phone call, leave a party early, or part from someone for a long time. This guide shares eight easy ways to say goodbye in Mandarin Chinese. Each one has characters, pinyin, English and an example. You will also find simple activities for children.

Saying goodbye goes well with how to say hello in Chinese and how to say thank you in Chinese. Together, these are the first phrases most learners need.

8 Ways to Say Goodbye in Mandarin Chinese

You do not need to learn all eight at once. Pick the phrase that fits the moment.

Which Goodbye Is Best for You?

• Brand-new learners and young children: 再见 and 拜拜.
• Kids who know simple sentences: 明天见 and 我先走了.
• Older learners and teens: 回头见, 我先告辞了 and 后会有期.
• Parents who want one phrase for every day: 再见.

1. 再见 (zàijiàn): Goodbye

再见 is the standard Mandarin word for goodbye. Children, teachers, friends and colleagues all use it.

• 再 (zài): again
• 见 (jiàn): to see or to meet

Put together, 再见 means “see you again.”

张老师，再见！
Zhāng lǎoshī, zàijiàn!
Goodbye, Teacher Zhang!

A simple chat:

A: 再见！
Zàijiàn!
Goodbye!

B: 再见！
Zàijiàn!
Goodbye!

Teaching tip: Make 再见 part of your daily routine. Say it at the end of a game, a story or a lesson.

2. 拜拜 (bàibài): Bye-Bye

拜拜 is a casual way to say goodbye. It sounds like the English “bye-bye.” Many Mandarin speakers use it, especially with friends and family.

我要回家了，拜拜！
Wǒ yào huí jiā le, bàibài!
I’m going home. Bye-bye!

Use 拜拜 with friends, siblings and family in casual situations. 再见 is a good choice when speaking to teachers, people you do not know well, or people in formal situations.

3. 一会儿见 (yíhuìr jiàn): See You in a Little While

一会儿 means “a little while.” Add 见 and you get “see you in a little while.” Use it when you will meet again soon.

我去拿书，一会儿见！
Wǒ qù ná shū, yíhuìr jiàn!
I’m going to get my book. See you in a little while!

You may also hear 待会儿见 (dāihuìr jiàn). It means the same thing. People say it differently in different places.

If you are not sure when you will meet again, 再见 is the better choice.

4. 回头见 (huítóu jiàn): See You Later

回头见 is an informal way to say “see you later.” People use it when they expect to meet again, but the time is not fixed. Older children and learners with some Chinese will enjoy it.

我先去上课，回头见！
Wǒ xiān qù shàng kè, huítóu jiàn!
I’m going to class first. See you later!

5. Time + 见: See You Tomorrow, This Afternoon or Next Week

Here is an easy pattern. Put a time word before 见.

A: 明天见！
Míngtiān jiàn!
See you tomorrow!

B: 好，明天见！
Hǎo, míngtiān jiàn!
Okay, see you tomorrow!

Children love this pattern. They change just one word and make a new sentence. After they learn the days of the week, they can say 星期一见 (xīngqī yī jiàn), “See you on Monday.” Our guide to Monday, Tuesday and counting weeks in Chinese covers the days. Our guide to telling time in Chinese helps with phrases like 下午一点见. For months and dates, see year, month and date in Chinese.

6. 我先走了 (wǒ xiān zǒu le): I’m Leaving First

Sometimes you leave while others are still talking or eating. Say 我先走了.

• 我 (wǒ): I
• 先 (xiān): first
• 走 (zǒu): to go or to leave
• 了 (le): shows a change of situation. Here, it helps show that the speaker is leaving now

时间不早了，我先走了。
Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ xiān zǒu le.
It’s getting late. I’m leaving now.

Use it with friends, family and people of a similar age or rank. You can add 再见 at the end:

A: 我先走了，再见！
Wǒ xiān zǒu le, zàijiàn!
I’m leaving first. Goodbye!

B: 好，再见！
Hǎo, zàijiàn!
Okay, goodbye!

7. 我先告辞了 (wǒ xiān gàocí le): I’ll Take My Leave

我先告辞了 is a formal way to say you are leaving. 告辞 (gàocí) means “to take one’s leave.” People use it when leaving a formal visit, or a gathering where a more respectful phrase fits. Children and close friends rarely say it.

谢谢您的款待，我先告辞了。
Xièxie nín de kuǎndài, wǒ xiān gàocí le.
Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll take my leave now.

For everyday life, 我先走了 is easier to remember and sounds more natural.

8. 后会有期 (hòu huì yǒu qī): Until We Meet Again

后会有期 is a set expression meaning “until we meet again.” It sounds literary or dramatic. Beginners are more likely to meet it in stories, films or formal farewells than in everyday conversation.

今天我们就此告别，后会有期！
Jīntiān wǒmen jiù cǐ gàobié, hòu huì yǒu qī!
Let’s part here today. Until we meet again!

Young beginners can skip this one for now. Older learners who enjoy Chinese stories will like it.

What Do You Say Back When Someone Leaves?

Most of the time, you simply say 再见 back. People who stay behind may also say:

客人：我先走了，再见！
Kèrén: Wǒ xiān zǒu le, zàijiàn!
Guest: I’m leaving now. Goodbye!

主人：慢走！
Zhǔrén: Màn zǒu!
Host: Take care on your way!

How to Choose the Right Goodbye in Chinese

You do not need a special phrase for every person. Start with the everyday ones.

How to Teach Goodbye in Chinese to Children

Children learn best when they use new phrases in real moments. Here are four easy activities for parents and teachers. Keep each one short. A few minutes a day works better than one long session.

1: The Goodbye Circle

Children stand in a circle. One child says 再见 to the next child. That child answers 再见 and turns to the next one. When they feel confident, add 拜拜.

Learning goal: listening, speaking and taking turns.

2: Match the Situation

Write these phrases on cards: 再见, 拜拜, 明天见, 一会儿见, 我先走了. Make situation cards such as:

• You are leaving school.
• You say goodbye to your best friend.
• You will see your classmate tomorrow.
• You leave the room to get a book.
• You leave a party before everyone else.

Children match each situation to a phrase. Some situations have more than one good answer.

Learning goal: link phrases to real-life moments.

3: Goodbye Role-Play

Pairs act out a short chat.

A: 我回家了，再见！
Wǒ huí jiā le, zàijiàn!
I’m going home. Goodbye!

B: 再见，明天见！
Zàijiàn, míngtiān jiàn!
Goodbye. See you tomorrow!

Let children change the names, places and times.

Learning goal: speak in full sentences with confidence.

4: One Goodbye Every Day

Pick one moment each day. Say 再见 when you leave home; 拜拜 when a video call ends; and 明天见 at bedtime.

Learning goal: turn a word into a daily habit.

Want to hear the phrases? Watch our Chinese learning videos for kids for more listening and speaking practice.

Common Mistakes When Saying Goodbye in Chinese

1. Using 拜拜 everywhere

拜拜 is friendly but casual. With teachers or people you do not know, 再见 is a safer choice.

2. Mixing up 明天见 and 再见

再见 means goodbye. 明天见 means “see you tomorrow.” Use 明天见 when you expect to see someone tomorrow.

3. Using 后会有期 in daily talk

It is correct, but it sounds dramatic in an ordinary chat. Use 再见 or 拜拜 instead.

4. Thinking every goodbye needs a special phrase

A simple 再见 is enough most of the time. Don’t overthink it. You will pick up the others as you hear them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should Children Learn After Goodbye?

Once children can say hello and goodbye, add a few more daily phrases.

Continue with How to Say Hello in Chinese and How to Say Thank You in Chinese.

Keep Practising, Step by Step

Saying goodbye is a small step toward real conversations in Mandarin. Start with 再见 and 拜拜. Add 明天见 when your child is ready to talk about tomorrow. Add 我先走了 when sentences get longer. Practise a little, use the phrases in real life, and build from there.

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If you are a parent and want ready-made daily phrases, with audio, video and printable scripts, the Speak Chinese with Kids course helps you start speaking Chinese at home, even if you are not fluent. Are you a teacher? Our Chinese lesson plans give you ready-to-use, step-by-step lessons so you do not need to plan from scratch.