Mandarin Chinese has many ways of saying goodbye, each expressing different parts of its culture and emotions. Exploring 21 unique farewells teaches us about more than just language variety. It helps us see the deeper social and personal connections in Chinese society. What do these expressions reveal about what Chinese people value and consider important?
21 Unique Ways to Say Goodbye in Mandarin Chinese
| Mandarin Chinese | Pinyin | English Translation |
| 再见 | Zài jiàn | Goodbye (most common) |
| 拜拜 | Bái bái | Bye-bye (informal) |
| 回头见 | Huí tóu jiàn | See you later |
| 下次见 | Xià cì jiàn | See you next time |
| 再会 | Zài huì | See you again |
| 慢走 | Màn zǒu | Take care (lit. “Walk slowly”) |
| 保重 | Bǎo zhòng | Take care |
| 再联系 | Zài lián xì | Keep in touch |
| 一路顺风 | Yī lù shùn fēng | Have a pleasant journey |
| 再聊 | Zài liáo | Talk to you later |
| 晚安 | Wǎn’ān | Good night |
| 回见 | Huí jiàn | See you |
| 再相见 | Zài xiāng jiàn | Until we meet again |
| 告辞 | Gào cí | Goodbye (formal) |
| 再来玩 | Zài lái wán | Come play again |
| 明天见 | Míngtiān jiàn | See you tomorrow |
| 改天见 | Gǎitiān jiàn | See you another day |
| 后会有期 | Hòu huì yǒu qī | We’ll meet again someday |
| 再联络 | Zài lián luò | Let’s keep in touch |
| 珍重 | Zhēn zhòng | Take care (more formal) |
| 再谈 | Zài tán | Talk to you later |
Conclusion
To wrap up, learning different ways to say goodbye in Mandarin Chinese does more than boost your language skills. It also helps you connect more deeply with Chinese culture. When you use these phrases skillfully, you show emotional sensitivity and cultural awareness. This makes your conversations richer and shows great respect for Chinese traditions.
Winston Simon, the founder of the Translation Blog, holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Auburn University. Fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, German, and Japanese, Winston has had a lifelong passion for learning languages from around the globe