(And 50+ other beautiful ways the world says “until next time”)
The title tricked you a little, didn’t it?
This isn’t about fingerspelling or handshapes (though we’ll get to real sign languages later).
This is about the universal ache of parting, and the thousand different ways humans have wrapped that ache in words, gestures, blessings, and silence.
I once watched a Maasai elder in Tanzania touch foreheads with his son for a full minute—no words—just breathing together before the young man left for university in Nairobi. That silent forehead touch was their goodbye.
Moments later, in the same week, I heard a Parisian grandmother whisper “À la prochaine, mon cœur” through tears at Gare du Nord. Same emotion. Completely different language.
Here is the entire world trying to solve the same impossible problem:
How do you let someone go without letting the love go with them?
The Global Goodbye Reference Table
(50+ ways to say it, with the heart behind each one)
| Region / Language | How to Say Goodbye | Pronunciation | What It Really Means |
| French | Au revoir / Adieu | oh reh-vwahr / ah-dyuh | “Until we see again” / “To God” (permanent) |
| Spanish (Spain) | Adiós | ah-dyohs | “To God” |
| Spanish (Latin America) | Chau / Hasta luego | chow / ah-stah lweh-go | Borrowed from Italian; “see you later” |
| Italian | Arrivederci / Ciao | ah-ree-veh-der-chee / chow | “Until we meet again” / everyday wave |
| Portuguese (Portugal) | Adeus | ah-deh-oosh | “To God” (formal) |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | Tchau / Até logo | tchow / ah-teh loh-go | Light and bouncy |
| German | Auf Wiedersehen / Tschüss | owf vee-der-zay-en / choos | Formal vs. casual |
| Dutch | Tot ziens / Dag | tot zeens / dahkh | “Until we see” / simple day |
| Swedish | Adjö / Hej då | ah-yeu / hey doh | Formal vs. casual “hey then” |
| Russian | Do svidaniya | dah svee-dah-nee-ya | “Until the next meeting” |
| Polish | Do widzenia | doh veed-zen-ya | Same root as Russian |
| Greek | Antio / Geia sou | an-dee-oh / yah soo | Ancient “be strong” / modern casual |
| Turkish | Hoşça kal | hosh-cha kal | “Stay sweetly” (the one leaving says Allahaısmarladık – “May God protect you”) |
| Arabic | Ma’a as-salāma | mah ah-sah-lah-ma | “Go in peace” |
| Hebrew | Lehitra’ot | leh-heet-rah-oht | “Until we see each other again” |
| Persian (Farsi) | Khoda hafez | kho-dah hah-fez | “God be your guardian” |
| Hindi | Namaste (when leaving too) / Alvida | nah-mah-stay / al-vee-dah | Bowing respect / dramatic farewell |
| Urdu | Khuda hafiz / Allah hafiz | same as Farsi | Same meaning |
| Punjabi | Rab rakha | rub rah-kha | “May God protect you” |
| Bengali | Biday | bee-dah-ee | Literally “farewell” |
| Mandarin Chinese | Zài jiàn / Bàibài | zai-jyen / bye-bye | Formal vs. cute casual |
| Cantonese | Bāai bāai / Joi gin | bye-bye / joy geen | Same mix of formal and playful |
| Japanese | Sayonara / Ja ne / Mata ne | sah-yoh-nah-rah / jah neh | Only for long partings / casual “see ya” |
| Korean | Annyeong-gaseyo (formal) / Annyeong | an-nyoung-gah-seh-yo | Same word for hello & goodbye |
| Thai | Sawasdee (krub/ka) | sah-wah-dee | Same for hello & goodbye + polite particle |
| Vietnamese | Tạm biệt | tam byet | “Temporary parting” |
| Indonesian / Malay | Selamat tinggal (to the one staying) / Selamat jalan (to the one leaving) | same as written | Literally “safe staying” vs “safe journey” |
| Swahili | Kwaheri / Baadaye | kwah-heh-ree / bah-dah-yeh | “For now” / “later” |
| Zulu | Sala kahle (to staying) / Hamba kahle (to leaving) | sah-lah / hahm-bah kah-leh | “Stay well” / “Go well” |
| Yoruba | O dabọ | oh dah-boh | “We shall see again” |
| Amharic (Ethiopia) | Dehna hun | dena hoon | “Be in peace” |
| Shona (Zimbabwe) | Fambai zvakanaka (leaving) / Sarai zvakanaka (staying) | fahm-bye / sah-rye | “Travel well” / “Remain well” |
| Māori (New Zealand) | E noho rā (staying) / Haere rā (leaving) | eh noh-hoh rah / high-reh rah | Same pattern as Zulu – blessing the journey |
| Hawaiian | Aloha | ah-loh-ha | Hello, goodbye, love – all in one breath |
| Samoan | Tōfā soifua | toh-fah soy-foo-ah | “Farewell, live well” |
| Navajo | Hágoónee’ | hah-goh-neh | “It is done” / peaceful closing |
| Cherokee | Donadagohvi | doh-nah-dah-goh-huh-vee | “Until we meet again” |
| Inuit (Inuktitut) | Assuminimik | as-soo-mee-nee-mik | “Until the next time we see each other” |
| Icelandic | Bless | blehss | Short for “God bless” |
| Irish Gaelic | Slán go fóill | slawn guh fohl | “Safe for now” |
| Welsh | Hwyl fawr | hoo-il vowr | “Good cheer, great” |
| American Sign Language (ASL) | Wave hand + “BYE” or fingerspell | — | Open palm moving away = universal “go in peace” gesture worldwide |
| British Sign Language (BSL) | Two-handed wave or “SEE-YOU” | — | Slightly different handshape, same emotion |
European Goodbyes: Politeness and Hope
Most European languages refuse to accept finality. French au revoir, Italian arrivederci, German auf Wiedersehen, Russian do svidaniya — they all mean “until we see each other again.” Even when we know we probably won’t.
Asian Goodbyes: Context Is Everything
In Japan, sayonara feels almost too heavy for daily use — people prefer ja ne or mata ne (“see ya” / “again soon”). In Korea and Thailand, the exact same word is used for hello and goodbye depending on who’s moving. Arabic and Persian turn farewell into a prayer: “Go with God’s protection.”
African Goodbyes: Bless the Journey
Across dozens of African languages, the person staying and the person leaving say different things. Zulu: “Hamba kahle” (go well) vs “Sala kahle” (stay well). Shona, Ndebele, Xhosa — same beautiful tradition. You don’t just say goodbye; you bless the path ahead.
Indigenous & Island Goodbyes: Circular Time
Māori, Hawaiian, Samoan, and many Native American languages treat time as a circle. Parting is temporary because souls will meet again — in this life or the next. That’s why Hawaiian aloha and Navajo closing ceremonies feel more like “see you everywhere, always.”
Famous Proverbs About Goodbye
- Japanese: “Ichi-go ichi-e” – This moment happens only once (say goodbye like it might be the last time).
- Spanish: “No hay despedida sin un hasta luego” – There’s no goodbye without a “see you later.”
- Arabic: “Every goodbye is a little death.”
- Yoruba: “Eniyan ti o ba ma pada wa, o ni “o dabọ” funra rẹ” – The person who will return says goodbye to himself (meaning: true goodbye assumes return).
- Irish: “Slán abhaile” – Safe home (even if the person is going to Tokyo).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do so many languages use a version of “God be with you” or “go with peace” for goodbye?
Because historically, leaving the village or city walls was genuinely dangerous. Entrusting someone to divine protection was the kindest, most practical thing you could say.
What’s the oldest recorded goodbye?
Ancient Sumerian tablets (c. 2000 BCE) show the phrase “May you arrive in peace” — same spirit as today’s Arabic ma’a as-salāma.
Why do some cultures avoid saying goodbye at all?
Many Pacific Island and Native American traditions believe naming the parting gives it power. Instead they say “We’ll meet in the dreams” or simply “Later.”
One Last Breath
Every language on Earth has found a way to soften the sharpest moment we ever face: letting go.
Some bless, some promise, some joke, some bow, some cry, some stay completely silent.
But every single one is trying to say the same impossible thing:
“I love you.
Travel safely.
Come back to me.
And if you can’t — carry my heart with you.”
Now it’s your turn.
What’s goodbye in your language?
How does your family say it when it really matters?
Drop it in the comments — let’s build the biggest, most beautiful goodbye list the internet has ever seen.
Until we meet again —
however you say it where you are. 🫶
