interjection / verb phrase HSK 1
Traditional 再見
goodbye · see you again · farewell
Meaning
This is the most common and neutral way to say goodbye in Mandarin Chinese. Literally meaning 'again see,' it expresses the hope of meeting again. It's appropriate in almost any context, from casual to formal situations.
Usage
Used when parting from someone, regardless of formality level. Native speakers often shorten it in casual speech or use variations like 拜拜 (bài bài) with friends. It's appropriate for both temporary and long-term goodbyes, though for very long separations, people might add qualifiers.
Examples
- 01明天见，再见！, !See you tomorrow, goodbye!
- 02谢谢你的帮助，再见。, .Thank you for your help, goodbye.
Characters
Common collocations
- 跟...再见...to say goodbye to ...
- 说再见to say goodbye
- 再见了goodbye (with finality)
Antonyms
Origin
The phrase literally combines 再 (again) and 见 (to see/meet), creating the meaning 'see you again' or 'until we meet again.' This construction reflects the optimistic assumption that people will encounter each other in the future.