zàijiàn: 再见 - Goodbye

• Keywords: zaijian, zàijiàn, 再见, how to say goodbye in Chinese, Chinese for goodbye, see you again in Chinese, common Chinese greetings, HSK 1 vocabulary, zai jian
• Summary: Learn how to say “goodbye” in Chinese with “再见” (zàijiàn). This essential HSK 1 term literally means “again, see,” making it closer to “see you again” than a final “goodbye.” This comprehensive guide explores the cultural meaning, practical usage, character breakdown, and common alternatives to help you sound natural when parting ways in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zàijiàn
• Part of Speech: Interjection / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: Goodbye; see you again.
• In a Nutshell: “再见” (zàijiàn) is the most standard and widely understood way to say “goodbye” in Mandarin. Unlike the English “goodbye,” which can feel final, `zàijiàn` is inherently optimistic. It's built on the expectation of meeting again, making it a warm and polite way to end almost any interaction.

• 再 (zài): This character means “again” or “once more.” It signifies the repetition of an action.
• 见 (jiàn): This character means “to see” or “to meet.” It's a pictograph originally showing a person with a large eye (目 on top of 儿), emphasizing the act of seeing.

When combined, 再见 (zàijiàn) literally translates to “again see,” which is the core concept behind the phrase “see you again.” It's not a farewell, but an anticipation of the next meeting.

In Chinese culture, maintaining connections and social harmony is paramount. The phrase 再见 (zàijiàn) perfectly reflects this value. Whereas the English “goodbye” historically derives from “God be with ye,” carrying a sense of blessing for a potentially long or indefinite separation, `zàijiàn` is fundamentally transactional and forward-looking. By saying “see you again,” speakers subtly reinforce their relationship and express a mutual desire to continue the connection. It is the default because it is safe, polite, and assumes the relationship will continue, whether with a shopkeeper you'll see next week or a colleague you'll see tomorrow. This contrasts with the Western tendency to use more situation-specific partings like “have a good one” or “take it easy,” which focus more on the immediate future of the person leaving. `再见` focuses on the future of the relationship between the two people.

`再见` is a versatile, all-purpose “goodbye.” It's a neutral term that fits almost any situation, from formal to informal.

• Formal/Polite: You would say `再见` to your teacher, your boss, an elderly person, or a client. It's respectful and appropriate.
• Everyday Encounters: It's perfectly normal to say `再见` to a cashier, a taxi driver, or a waiter as you leave.
• Friends and Peers: While perfectly acceptable among friends, it can sometimes feel slightly formal. Younger people or close friends often prefer more casual alternatives.
• Informal Alternatives: In casual conversations, especially among the youth, 拜拜 (bàibai), a loanword from “bye-bye,” is extremely common. For “see you later,” you might hear 回头见 (huítóu jiàn).
• On the Phone and Social Media: `再见` is common for ending phone calls. On text-based platforms like WeChat, `拜拜` or simply an emoji (like 👋) is often more common between friends.

• Example 1:
  • 老师，再见！
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, zàijiàn!
  • English: Goodbye, teacher!
  • Analysis: A classic, respectful way for a student to say goodbye to a teacher. Using `再见` here is standard and polite.
• Example 2:
  • 我们走吧。大家再见！
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zǒu ba. Dàjiā zàijiàn!
  • English: Let's go. Goodbye everyone!
  • Analysis: Used when leaving a group of people. “大家” (dàjiā) means “everyone.”
• Example 3:
  • 好的，明天见。再见！
  • Pinyin: Hǎo de, míngtiān jiàn. Zàijiàn!
  • English: Okay, see you tomorrow. Goodbye!
  • Analysis: This shows how `再见` can be used to reinforce a more specific parting phrase like “明天见” (míngtiān jiàn - see you tomorrow).
• Example 4:
  • 今天的会就到这里。再见。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de huì jiù dào zhèlǐ. Zàijiàn.
  • English: Today's meeting ends here. Goodbye.
  • Analysis: A common phrase to conclude a business meeting. Here, `再见` is professional and clear.
• Example 5:
  • 妈妈，我去上学了。再见！
  • Pinyin: Māma, wǒ qù shàngxué le. Zàijiàn!
  • English: Mom, I'm going to school. Goodbye!
  • Analysis: A very common, daily interaction within a family.
• Example 6:
  • 谢谢您的帮助，再见。
  • Pinyin: Xièxiè nín de bāngzhù, zàijiàn.
  • English: Thank you for your help, goodbye.
  • Analysis: This is a polite way to end an interaction after receiving help, for example from a clerk or an official. “您” (nín) is the formal “you.”
• Example 7:
  • 电话里：那先这样，再见。
  • Pinyin: Diànhuà lǐ: Nà xiān zhèyàng, zàijiàn.
  • English: On the phone: Okay, that's all for now, goodbye.
  • Analysis: “那先这样” (nà xiān zhèyàng) is a very common phrase for wrapping up a phone call before saying `再见`.
• Example 8:
  • 我很高兴认识你，希望以后能再见。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, xīwàng yǐhòu néng zàijiàn.
  • English: I'm very happy to have met you, I hope we can see each other again in the future.
  • Analysis: Here, `再见` is used as a verb phrase “to see again,” not as an interjection. This shows the literal meaning in action.
• Example 9:
  • 吃完饭，朋友们互相说了再见就回家了。
  • Pinyin: Chī wán fàn, péngyǒumen hùxiāng shuōle zàijiàn jiù huí jiā le.
  • English: After finishing the meal, the friends said goodbye to each other and went home.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the act of saying goodbye, showing its function as a noun phrase “the word goodbye.”
• Example 10:
  • 这件衣服我不喜欢，再见！ (Said to the shopkeeper)
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu wǒ bù xǐhuān, zàijiàn!
  • English: I don't like this piece of clothing, goodbye!
  • Analysis: A simple, neutral, and polite way to end a transaction at a store when you decide not to buy something.

• The “Final Goodbye” Fallacy: A major mistake for learners is using `再见` for a permanent parting. Because it means “see you again,” saying `再见` to someone you know you will never see again (e.g., someone moving away forever, or in a very somber situation like a deathbed) can sound strange or even insensitive. In these cases, a phrase like 保重 (bǎozhòng), meaning “take care,” is far more appropriate.
  • Incorrect: (At the airport, to a friend moving to another country permanently) “祝你好运。再见！” (Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn. Zàijiàn!)
  • Correct: (In the same situation) “祝你好运。多保重！” (Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn. Duō bǎozhòng!) - “Good luck. Take good care of yourself!”
• Formality with Friends: While not incorrect, using `再见` with very close friends can sometimes feel a bit distant or stiff, especially in casual text messages. They are much more likely to use 拜拜 (bàibai) or a more specific phrase like 回头见 (huítóu jiàn) (“see you around”). Using `再见` is fine, but being aware of the alternatives will make you sound more natural.

• 拜拜 (bàibai) - An informal, very common loanword from the English “bye-bye.” Used frequently among friends and younger people.
• 明天见 (míngtiān jiàn) - “See you tomorrow.” A more specific version of `再见`. You can replace “明天” (tomorrow) with other time words, e.g., “星期一见” (xīngqīyī jiàn) - “see you Monday.”
• 一会儿见 (yīhuìr jiàn) - “See you in a little while / See you in a bit.” Used when you will meet again very soon on the same day.
• 回头见 (huítóu jiàn) - “See you later” or “See you around.” An informal and friendly way to say goodbye when you don't have a specific time to meet again.
• 保重 (bǎozhòng) - “Take care.” This carries more weight than `再见`. It's used for longer separations or when you want to express sincere concern for someone's well-being.
• 告辞 (gàocí) - “To take one's leave.” This is a very formal and somewhat old-fashioned term used when politely excusing yourself from a formal gathering or from a superior's presence.
• 后会有期 (hòuhuìyǒuqī) - “We will meet again someday.” A literary and formal phrase that expresses the hope of meeting again in the distant future. Often seen in movies and period dramas.
• 失陪 (shīpéi) - “Excuse me for leaving / I must be going now.” A very polite and formal phrase used when you have to leave a social event or a group of people earlier than others. It literally means “I lose your company.”