How to Use Parting Phrases and Expressions

Learn how to use parting phrases and expressions

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Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can Do German by GermanPod101.com.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use parting expressions in German.

For example, "Goodnight" is

Gute Nacht.

Aylin Ahrens is talking with her former colleague, Miriam Müller.

As Aylin says goodbye, her children join her in saying goodnight.

Before you hear their conversation, let’s preview some of its key components.

Bis bald!

"See you soon!"

Bis bald!

Gute Nacht!

"Goodnight!"

Gute Nacht!

Auf Wiedersehen!

"Goodbye!"

Auf Wiedersehen!

Focus on the way each person says goodbye.

Bis bald!

Gute Nacht!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Bis dann!

Once more with the English translation.

Bis bald!

"See you soon!"

Gute Nacht!

"Good night!"

Auf Wiedersehen!

"Goodbye!"

Bis dann!

"See you!"

Let's break down each of these expressions.

First, do you remember how Aylin says,

"See you soon!"

Bis bald!

This starts with bis, which means something like "until" in this context. Bis. Bis.

Next is bald, "soon." Bald. Bald.

Together, bis bald means something like "until soon," but translates as "See you soon."

Bis bald!

Bis bald is fairly informal, which indicates a close relationship between Aylin and Miriam Muller , her former homestay mother.

Do you remember how Anouk says,

"Good night!"

Gute Nacht. "Good night." Gute Nacht.

Gute Nacht literally means "good night." Gute Nacht.

Gute Nacht!

Anouk uses this expression when saying Good night to Miriam.

You use gute Nacht, "good night," when you don’t plan on seeing someone again that night and often when someone is about to go to bed. In this case, it’s like saying "have a good night's sleep."

Do you remember how Aron says,

"Goodbye!’

Auf Wiedersehen!

This expression starts with auf, which means "until" in this context. Auf. Auf.

Next is Wiedersehen. "See again." Wiedersehen. Wiedersehen.

Together it’s auf Wiedersehen, literally "until see again," but it translates as "goodbye." Auf Wiedersehen.

Auf Wiedersehen is suitable for formal situations; for example, Aron uses this expression since Miriam Muller is older than him.

However, it can also be used between friends and family members.

Do you remember how Miriam says?

"See you!"

Bis dann! "See you!" Bis dann!

First is bis, "until." Bis.

After this is dann, meaning "then." Dann. Dann.

Together, bis dann, literally, "until then," but translates as "See you."

Bis dann!

Bis dann is an informal parting greeting, and you should avoid using it in formal situations. Miriam uses this to say goodbye to everyone. She's the most senior person in the conversation, and she uses informal language to sound friendly.

Bis is in the following expressions:

bis bald, literally, "until soon," but translates as "See you soon," and

bis dann, literally, "until then," but translates as "see you."

It also is used in many other parting greetings.

Bis morgen. Literally, "until tomorrow," but translates as "See you tomorrow." Bis Morgen.

Bis später. Literally, "until later," but translates as "See you later." Bis später.

Bis heute Abend. Literally, "until today evening," but translates as "See you tonight." Bis heute Abend.

You can create many expressions using the following pattern:

Bis plus a later point in time, such as tonight, Friday, next week, etc.

Until a later point in time, such as tonight, Friday, next week, etc.

You should be aware of these commonly used expressions, but you won’t need them for this lesson.

Let's look at the parting greetings once more.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speaker.

Bis bald.

"See you soon."

Bis bald.

Gute Nacht.

"Good night."

Gute Nacht.

Bis später.

"See you later."

Bis später.

Auf Wiedersehen.

"Goodbye."

Auf Wiedersehen.

Mach’s gut.

"Take care."

Mach’s gut..

Tschüss.

"Bye."

Tschüss.

Did you notice the last parting greeting?

Tschüss, "bye." Tschüss. Tschüss.

You can use this greeting with your friends and family. It’s the most common informal parting greeting in Germany.

Tschüss.

Remember this expression. You’ll need it later.

Let's review.

Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speaker, focusing on pronunciation.

Ready?

Do you remember how to say,

"See you soon!"

Bis bald!

And how to say,

"Good night!"

Gute Nacht!

Do you remember how to say,

"See you!"

Bis dann!

Do you remember how to say,

"Goodbye!"

Auf Wiedersehen!

And how to say,

"Bye."

Tschüss.

Let's practice.

Imagine you’re Arnold Ahrens , and you’re talking with Miriam.

Respond by saying, "Good night."

Ready?

Bis dann!

Gute Nacht.

Listen again and repeat.

Gute Nacht.

Let’s try another.

Imagine you’re Aron Ahrens, and you’re finishing class.

Respond by saying, "Bye."

Ready?

Mach’s gut.

Tschüss!

Listen again and repeat.

Tschüss!

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Anouk Ahrens, and you’re finishing coffee with your college friend, Karla.

Respond by saying, "See you."

Bis bald!

Bis dann!

Listen again and repeat.

Bis dann!

In this lesson, you learned how to use basic parting greetings in German. This plays an essential role in the larger skill of using basic greetings. Let’s review.

Do you remember the polite way to say “Good morning?”

Guten Morgen.

And how to say, “Good afternoon?”

Guten Tag.

Do you remember how to say, “Good evening?”

Guten Abend.

Imagine you're Anouk Ahrens , and you're meeting your friend Karla König in the morning, after a short small talk you part ways.

Do you remember the informal way to say "Hello?"

Hallo!

Respond to your friend Karla König greeting you first.

Hallo!

Listen again, and repeat.

Hallo!

And do you remember how to say "see you"?

Bis dann!

Respond to Karla König.

Tschüss!

Bis dann!

Listen again, and repeat.

Bis dann!

Well done! This is the end of the lesson and the Can Use Basic Greetings unit of this course.

Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.

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Show us what you can do.

When you're ready, take your assessment.

You can take it again and again, so try anytime you like.

Our teachers will assess it, and give you your results.

Keep practicing — and move on to the next lesson!

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