Learn how to say goodbye in French with our guide to “Au revoir”. Discover the cultural significance and different contexts for this common phrase.
Au revoir is a French phrase that is commonly used to say goodbye. It is a polite and formal way to bid farewell to someone, whether it be a friend, family member, colleague, or stranger. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the meaning and usage of au revoir and explore its cultural significance in French society.
Au revoir: How to say goodbye
Au revoir is a French phrase that means “goodbye” or “see you later.” It is a polite and formal way of bidding farewell to someone. If you’re traveling to a French-speaking country or if you simply want to learn how to say goodbye in French. Here are a few tips to help you master the phrase:
- Pronunciation: The first step to saying au revoir correctly is to get the pronunciation right. The phrase is pronounced “oh ruh-vwar” with a soft “r” sound. Make sure to pronounce both the “au” and the “revoir” parts of the phrase.
- Usage: Au revoir is a formal way of saying goodbye and it is appropriate to use in most situations. Whether you’re saying goodbye to a friend, family member, colleague, or stranger. It is a polite and respectful way to bid farewell.
- Timing: In French culture, it is customary to say au revoir when you’re leaving a place or ending a conversation. You can use the phrase when you’re leaving a party, a restaurant, a store, or when you’re ending a phone call or email exchange.
- Alternative phrases: While au revoir is the most common way to say goodbye in French, there are a few other phrases that you can use depending on the situation.For example, if you’re leaving someone at their home, you can say “à bientôt” which means “see you soon.” Or, if you’re saying goodbye to someone you’re unlikely to see again, you can use “adieu” which means “farewell.”
- Body language: In addition to saying au revoir, it’s also important to use appropriate body language when saying goodbye in French. It is customary to shake hands or give a light hug or cheek kiss, depending on the relationship you have with the person you’re saying goodbye to.
Learning how to say goodbye in French is a simple way to show respect and politeness in French-speaking cultures. By mastering the pronunciation and usage of au revoir, you can bid farewell with confidence and leave a positive impression on those around you.
Goodbye in French, the word broken down
The word for goodbye in French is “au revoir.” It is a commonly used phrase in French-speaking countries, and it is used to bid farewell to someone or to express goodbye as a sentiment. Here is a breakdown of the word “au revoir” in French language:
- “Au” is a preposition in French that means “to” or “at.” It is often used to indicate a destination or direction, as in “aller au marché” (to go to the market).
- “Revoir” is a verb in French that means “to see again” or “to meet again.” It is derived from the Latin word “revidere,” which means “to see again.”
- Therefore, the literal translation of “au revoir” is “until we see each other again” or “to see each other again.”
- The phrase is commonly used in French-speaking countries as a polite and formal way of bidding farewell to someone.
- In addition to saying “au revoir,” it is also customary to use appropriate body language when saying goodbye in French. Depending on the relationship, it may be customary to shake hands, give a light hug, or a cheek kiss as a sign of affection and goodwill.
Use au revoir in place of any of these phrases
Funny forms to say farewell
- “À plus tard, crocodile” – “Au revoir, crocodile”
- “Salut, la compagnie !” – “Au revoir, la compagnie !”
- “Ciao, les copains” – “Au revoir, les copains”
- “Bonne nuit, les petits” – “Au revoir, les petits”
- “Tchao, les moules” – “Au revoir, les moules”
Formal forms of “see you later”
- À bientôt
- Au revoir, à la prochaine
- Au plaisir de vous revoir
- Bonne journée / soirée
- À plus tard
Informal forms of goodbye
- Salut!
- À plus
- Tchao!
- Bisou(s)!
- On se voit bientôt!
- À tout à l’heure!
Some French music and movies titled Au Revoir
Here are some French music and movies titled “Au revoir”:
- “Au Revoir” – is a song by French rapper and songwriter Marko Penn, released in 2020. The song is a sad ballad about saying goodbye to a lover.
- “Au Revoir les Enfants” – a 1987 French movie directed by Louis Malle. The movie is a powerful story about a young boy at a Catholic boarding school in Nazi-occupied France who befriends a Jewish boy.
- “Au revoir” – a 2014 French movie directed by Mohamed Lakhdar Tati. The movie follows the story of a young woman who returns to her hometown in Algeria to attend her father’s funeral and reconnects with her family and cultural roots.
- “Au revoir Simone” – a French indie pop band formed in 2003. The band’s name is inspired by a line in a Pee-wee Herman movie, and their music is characterized by dreamy synths and sweet harmonies.
- “Au revoir (Adieu)” – a 1965 French movie directed by Pierre Granier-Deferre. The movie is a crime drama about a police inspector who investigates the murder of a wealthy man’s mistress.
All of these works explore the theme of saying goodbye in different ways whether it be to a person, a place, or a way of life. They offer unique perspectives on the complex emotions that come with saying goodbye from sadness and loss to hope and new beginnings.
French phrase words for specific forms of goodbye
Here are some French phrases for specific forms of goodbye:
- “Au revoir” – This is the most common way to say goodbye in French and is appropriate for both formal and informal situations.
- “Adieu” – This is a more formal and final way of saying goodbye in French, often used when you know you won’t be seeing the person again.
- “Salut” – This is a casual and informal way of saying goodbye among friends, similar to saying “bye” in English.
- “À bientôt” – This phrase means “see you soon” and is a good way to express that you look forward to seeing the person again.
- “À plus tard” – This phrase means “see you later” and is a more informal way of saying “À bientôt”.
- “Bonne journée” – This phrase means “have a good day” and is a polite way to say goodbye during the day.
- “Bonne soirée” – This phrase means “have a good evening” and is a polite way to say goodbye in the evening.
- “Bon weekend” – This phrase means “have a good weekend” and is a polite way to say goodbye on Friday or at the end of the week.
- “Portez-vous bien” – This phrase means “take care of yourself” and is a good way to show concern for the other person’s well-being as you say goodbye.
It’s important to choose the appropriate phrase based on the context and relationship with the person you’re speaking to.
Au Revoir: Until next time
When you say “Au revoir” to someone, you are indicating that you hope to see them again in the future. It is a polite and respectful way to say goodbye and is appropriate for both formal and informal situations.
In some cases, it can even be used as a way to express a sense of anticipation or excitement for the next time you will see the person.
The phrase “Au revoir” is often used as a parting phrase when leaving a social gathering, such as a party or dinner. It is also commonly used when ending a conversation with someone you have just met, or when saying goodbye to someone you work with or do business with.
Overall, “Au revoir” is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of contexts to express a sense of farewell and the hope of seeing someone again in the future.