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End a conversation politely in French: warm, clear goodbyes

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Say you need to leave, thank someone for the conversation and choose a goodbye that fits. Compare friendly closings with promises to contact someone.

In short

Say Je vais devoir y aller or Je dois vous laisser, thank the person and close with Bonne soirée ! You can add Au plaisir de vous recroiser when you welcome another encounter. Save Je vous appelle demain for a call you intend to make.

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Two people saying goodbye outside an evening event.
Je vais devoir y aller brings the conversation to a warm close. Illustration: Atelier
1

At an event, using vous

Adam and Nora have just met. Adam closes with appreciation for a specific topic.

YouJe vais devoir y aller. Merci pour cette discussion, c’était très intéressant.I will need to get going. Thank you for this conversation, it was very interesting.
Conversation partnerMerci à vous ! Vous habitez loin ?Thank you too! Do you live far away?
YouOui, j’ai encore une heure de trajet. J’ai beaucoup apprécié vos conseils sur les ateliers photo.Yes, I still have an hour’s journey. I really appreciated your advice about the photography workshops.
Conversation partnerAvec plaisir. Bon retour !You are welcome. Have a good journey home!
YouMerci. Au plaisir de vous recroiser. Bonne soirée !Thank you. I hope our paths cross again. Have a good evening!
2

With a friend, using tu

YouJe dois te laisser, mais ça m’a fait plaisir de discuter avec toi.I have to go, but it was lovely talking to you.
Conversation partnerMoi aussi ! On se prend un café bientôt ?Likewise! Shall we have a coffee soon?
YouAvec plaisir, mais je ne peux pas fixer de date pour le moment.I would like that, but I cannot fix a date at the moment.
Conversation partnerD’accord. Bonne soirée !All right. Have a good evening!
YouMerci, à toi aussi !Thank you, you too!
What does the closing commit you to?
ClosingMeaning in this exchange
Bonne soirée !A good wish as you leave.
Au plaisir de vous recroiser.You would welcome crossing paths again.
Je vous enverrai le lien demain.You undertake to send the link tomorrow.
On se retrouve mardi à 18 h ?You propose a meeting for the other person to accept.

Je dois vous laisser is an ordinary way to end an exchange. Its tu version is je dois te laisser. Y aller in je vais devoir y aller means getting going. A reason can follow if you want to give one; the departure signal also works on its own.

Je dois vous laisser. J’ai été ravi de faire votre connaissance. Bonne soirée !

I have to go. It was a pleasure meeting you. Have a good evening!

A woman speaking writes ravie. The person being addressed does not determine this agreement.

Question 1No account needed
You are leaving now and want to use vous. Which line fits?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je dois vous laisser.. Je dois vous laisser signals departure and keeps the vous form.

Question 2No account needed
Which sentence promises a specific action?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je vous enverrai le lien demain.. Sending the link tomorrow is a defined action, whereas the other two are friendly closings.

Question 3No account needed
You like the coffee suggestion but cannot arrange a date. Choose the clear reply.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Avec plaisir, mais je ne peux pas fixer de date pour le moment.. This reply welcomes the idea and states your current availability. The other replies make further commitments.

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