Tschüss is the everyday goodbye among friends and peers. Auf Wiedersehen is the formal choice for strangers, elders, and professional settings.
Ways to say it
Auf Wiedersehen, bis nächste Woche.
Goodbye, see you next week.
Tschüss, bis morgen!
Bye, see you tomorrow!
Bis bald, ich freue mich schon!
See you soon, I'm already looking forward to it!
Ciao, wir sehen uns!
Bye, see you around!
Mach's gut, pass auf dich auf!
Take care, look after yourself!
Auf Wiederhören, ich rufe später noch mal an.
Goodbye, I'll call again later.
Where Ciao Fits In?
Ciao, also spelled Tschau, is borrowed from Italian and common among younger speakers, especially in Berlin. Unlike Italian, German uses ciao only for goodbye, never for hello.
Regional Alternatives to Auf Wiedersehen
Servus works as both hello and goodbye in Bavaria and Austria. Pfiat di is a Bavarian farewell specific to that region, unlikely to be understood further north.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Tschüss and Auf Wiedersehen?+
Tschüss is casual, for friends and family. Auf Wiedersehen is formal, for strangers, elders, and professional settings.
Can I use Ciao as a greeting in German like in Italian?+
No - German only uses Ciao (or Tschau) to say goodbye, not hello, unlike its Italian origin.
Is Servus a hello or a goodbye?+
Both. Servus works as either greeting in Bavaria and Austria, decided entirely by context.
How do I practice these goodbyes?+
Select the phrases you want on this page, then start Flashcards, Multiple Choice, or a Final Test from the bar at the bottom.
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Practice tips
- ✓Tap play to hear each phrase before you try saying it yourself.
- ✓Notice which options are formal and which are informal before you use them.
- ✓Practice the example sentence, not just the phrase on its own — that's how it's actually used.