How to Say Hello, Goodbye, Please and Thank You in Different Languages

Why Learn Basic Words in Other Languages?

Learn basic words in other languages to show respect, break down barriers, and connect with local communities. Even one word like “please” creates goodwill. Use cultural phrases like “san” or “nim” to show deeper awareness. With 2025 travel rising, here are words to know before you travel.

Ways to Say Goodbye in Different Languages

As you embark on your language learning journey, mastering different ways to say goodbye and bid farewell is one of the most common ways to connect with native speakers. Learning how to say goodbye in different languages can enhance any conversation with more than one person and show respect for their world and culture.

Romance Languages

Romance languages often share similar goodbye expressions, with each Italian word or French expression having its own cultural significance:

• Italian: “Arrivederci” (formal) – This Italian word literally means “until we see each other again”
• French: “Au revoir” (“Oh vwahr”) – French speakers use this formal expression meaning “until we see again”
• Spanish: “Adiós” – Spanish speakers use this expression derived from “a Dios,” meaning “to God” or “God’s blessing”
• Portuguese: “Adeus” – Portuguese goodbye similar to Spanish, with the same meaning

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Informal Goodbyes for Close Friends

For friends and casual settings, many languages offer an informal way to say goodbye:

• Italian: “Ciao” – Italian friends use this for both hello and goodbye
• Spanish: “Hasta la vista” or “Nos vemos” (“See you soon”) – Common ways to say goodbye with friends
• French: “Salut” – French speakers use this informal way for both hello and goodbye
• Portuguese: “Tchau” – Informal Portuguese goodbye between friends

Asian Languages

Many Asian languages have formal and informal ways to say goodbye:

• Japanese: “Sayonara” (さようなら) or “Sai oh nar ah” (formal)
• Japanese: “Ja ne” (informal Japanese goodbye)
• Korean: “Annyeonghi gaseyo” (안녕히 가세요) (formal) or “An-nyeong” (안녕) (informal way of saying goodbye, pronounced “Ah yeu”)
• Mandarin Chinese: “Zàijiàn” (再见) or “Joi gin” (Cantonese)
• Malay: “Selamat tinggal” (formal Malay farewell) or “Selamat jalan” (for someone leaving)
• Hindi (official language of India): “Namaste” or “Alvida” (Hindi goodbye)
• Tagalog: “Paalam na” (formal Filipino/Tagalog goodbye)

Slavic Languages

Slavic languages have distinctive ways to bid farewell:

• Russian: “Do svidaniya” (До свидания) or “Do sve dan ya” (formal Russian goodbye)
• Czech: “Na shledanou” (pronounced “Na shle-dah-noh” or “Doh vee jen ya”)
• Slovak: “Dovidenia” (pronounced “Doh-vee-deh-nyah” or “Nas vee dan yeh”)
• Other Slavic: Many use variations with “deh oosh” or “chan ya” sounds in their farewells

Germanic Languages

Germanic languages offer both formal and casual ways to say goodbye:

• German: “Auf Wiedersehen” (formal German goodbye, pronounced “Owf vee der zayn”)
• German: “Tschüss” (informal German “bye”)
• Dutch: “Tot ziens” (formal Dutch farewell)
• Swedish: “Vi ses” (informal Swedish “see you”) or “Farväl” (more formal, similar to “far vel”)
• Norwegian: “Ha det” (casual Norwegian “ha day”) or “Far vel” (more formal “fa vel”)

Other European Languages

Other European languages have their own unique ways to say goodbye:

• Greek: “Αντίο” (Antío) or “Γεια σου” (Yia sou) (informal Greek goodbye)
• Romanian: “La revedere” (formal Romanian farewell)

Evening Goodbyes

In many languages, you can also say “good night” as a way to say goodbye in the evening:

• English: “Good night”
• Spanish: “Buenas noches”
• French: “Bonne nuit”
• Italian: “Buona notte”
• German: “Gute Nacht”

American Sign Language (ASL) Greetings

When communicating in American Sign Language, these are the basic greeting gestures:

• Hello: With a flat hand, move your hand away from your forehead in a small arc
• Goodbye: With a flat hand, wave your hand side to side
• Please: With a flat hand, move your hand in a circular motion across your chest
• Thank you: With a flat hand, start with your hand near your lips and move it forward away from your face

Languages Where Hello and Goodbye Are the Same or Similar

In these languages, one word serves both purposes in conversation

Sometimes expressions can mean both hello and goodbye. However, context is crucial! For example, in South Korea, “Annyeong” is often used amongst friends to mean both hello and goodbye, but using this abbreviated form with elders can be considered disrespectful.

Here are countries that have a single word to express both hello and goodbye:

1. Austria: Austrian German – “Servus”
2. Italy: Italian – “Ciao”
3. France: French – “Salut”
4. Hawaii: Hawaiian – “Aloha”
5. South Korea: Korean – “Annyeong” (informal)
6. Estonia: Estonian – “Tere”
7. Finland: Finnish – “Hei”
8. Catalonia: Catalan – “Hola”
9. Galicia: Galician – “Ola”
10. Luxembourg: Luxembourgish – “Moien”
11. Malta: Maltese – “Ħelow”
12. New Zealand: Maori – “Kia ora”
13. Samoa: Samoan – “Talofa”
14. Swahili: Swahili – “Jambo”
15. Tahiti: Tahitian – “Ia ora na”
16. Tonga: Tongan – “Mālō”
17. Vanuatu: Bislama – “Halo”
18. Wales: Welsh – “Helo”

How to Say Please in Different Languages

Saying “please” in different languages is a universal courtesy that conveys politeness and respect:

• English: “Please”
• Spanish: “Por favor” (used in 20 Spanish-speaking countries)
• French: “S’il vous plaît” (formal) or “S’il te plaît” (informal)
• German: “Bitte”
• Italian: “Per favore” or “Per piacere”
• Mandarin Chinese: “Qǐng” (请)
• Japanese: “Onegai shimasu” (お願いします)
• Korean: “Juseyo” (주세요)
• Arabic: “Min fadlak” (masculine) or “Min fadliki” (feminine)
• Russian: “Pozhaluysta” (Пожалуйста)

Practical Tips for Respectful Travel

1. Learn Cultural Context: Always understand the cultural weight of a phrase. For instance, in South Korea, “Annyeong” is casual and should not be used with elders.
2. Practice Local Customs: Pair your words with appropriate gestures, such as bowing in Japan when saying “Konnichiwa.”
3. Be Prepared: Download apps or create a cheat sheet with key phrases for your destination.
4. Learn Proper Naming Conventions: In many cultures, how you address someone is as important as the greeting itself:
   • Japan: Add “san” to someone’s name (e.g., “Tanaka-san”)
   • South Korea: Add “nim” to show respect (e.g., “Jisoonim”)
   • Thailand: Use “Khun” for people around your age, “P'” for those older
   • Morocco: Use “Mr.” or “Ms.” before first names
5. Understand Age Hierarchies: In many Asian cultures like Cambodia, you’ll use different forms of address depending on whether someone is older or younger than you.
6. Learn Regional Variations: Even within a country, greetings may differ by region or context.

Global Language Facts

• According to Ethnologue, there are over 7,000 different languages spoken globally.
• Papua New Guinea has the largest number of languages, with 840 established languages.
• Indonesia has 707, Nigeria 517, India 447, and China 302 languages.
• The United States comes in at number 9, with 219 spoken languages in the country.
• The top 5 official languages in the world are: English (58 countries), French (30), Arabic (25), Spanish (20), and Portuguese (9).

Rustic Pathways Destinations: Naming Conventions

Understanding how to address people properly is just as important as knowing basic phrases:

Learning a New Language

Learning many words in a new language can be challenging, but starting with basic goodbye and hello phrases is the most common way for any person to begin. With these new words in your vocabulary, you can navigate conversations more effectively, showing respect for other languages and cultures around the world.

Remember that even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, native speakers will appreciate your effort to speak in their language. This small gesture can transform your travel experiences and help you form meaningful connections with people from different language backgrounds.