French · Greetings & Phrases
au revoir
goodbye
Beginnerinterjection
Definition
A farewell phrase used when parting from someone.
Example
Au revoir, a bientot!
Goodbye, see you soon!
Etymology
'Au revoir' literally translates to 'until we see [each other] again,' deriving from the Old French 'revoir.' It became established in the formal lexicon since the 17th century as a farewell.
How & Where It’s Used
'Au revoir' is generally considered formal but can be used informally. It's spoken more frequently than written and is universally understood in French-speaking countries.