Short answer: "goodbye" in French is Au revoir, or Salut depending on the situation.
Au revoir, the core translation
The default way to say "goodbye" in French is Au revoir. Pronounced roughly oh reh-VWAHR.
When French speakers actually use it
"Au revoir" for anyone polite; "Salut" doubles as hi and bye with friends.
Alternative: Salut
Salut is the other option French speakers reach for in this situation. It's not a synonym so much as a register shift, use the one that matches who you're talking to.
Practice this in a real French conversation
Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Au revoir" into a real French exchange in your first 3-minute lesson, so it sticks the first time.
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FAQ
What's the most polite way to say "goodbye" in French?
Both Au revoir and Salut are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.
How do I pronounce Au revoir?
Roughly oh reh-VWAHR. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.