Tschüß In German: 5 Alternatives You Should Use Instead (With Examples)
DENISA (in different situations)
Tschüss!
Tschüss!
Tschüss!
Tschüß in German is the right word for you if you want to say goodbye. But there are more ways to say farewell.
This is Denisa from Spring German. Today, in this lesson, we’re going to show you five alternatives.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
1.Bis später/Bis bald/Bis dann (See you later/Until then/See you then)
Are you going to see your friend again later?
Then you can say “bis später” or “bis bald.” You can also say “bis dann.” For example, when you see your friend again at a party.
Here’s an example for you:
VANESSA
Gehst du heute Abend auf diese Party?
Are you going to this party tonight?
DENISA
Ja, auf jeden Fall! Ich freu mich schon.
Yes, definitely! I’m looking forward to it.
VANESSA
Ich mich auch. Das wird toll! Ich muss los, bis dann.
Me too. That will be great! I have to go, see you then.
DENISA
Bis später!
See you later!
“Bis dann” is in English “till then.” Have you heard these alternatives before?
After “bis,” you can also say other words, like:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| bis morgen | until tomorrow |
| bis Dienstag | until Tuesday |
| bis demnächst | until next time |
and so on.
CHUNK ALERT!
“Ich muss los” is something you can say before you say goodbye. It means that you might have an appointment or things to do and must go.
Other phrases before you say goodbye are:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Es ist Zeit. | It is time. |
| Ich muss leider gehen. | Unfortunately, I have to go. |
| Ich habe gleich einen Termin. | I have an appointment soon. |
But “ich muss los” is often said. Remember this chunk. Then you’ll speak like a native speaker!
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The three alternatives “Bis später”, “bis bald” and “bis dann” are used when knowing you will see that person in a while, next Tuesday or even that night again. Also, you can say “Ich muss los” before you say goodbye.
Use these chunks to sound like a native speaker!
2. Auf Wiedersehen (Goodbye)
Tschüss is a good way to say goodbye. But what do you say to your boss? At work, you should say “Auf Wiedersehen.”
It is more polite.
DENISA
Also, ich geh jetzt nach Hause, ja? Auf Wiedersehen!
(So I’m going home now, alright? Goodbye!)
BOSS
Auf Wiedersehen Frau Wagner. Bis morgen.
(Goodbye, Mrs. Wagner. See you tomorrow.)
“Auf Wiedersehen” literally means “until we see each other again.” Interesting, isn’t it?
When you’re talking with your boss or with people in business meetings or other official appointments, use “Auf Wiedersehen” to say goodbye. That’s more formal and polite.
3. Mach’s gut (Take care)
Many Germans say “Mach’s gut” when saying farewell. The English translation is “take care” or literally “do it good.”
It is often said when you won’t see each other for a long time. You can say it to friends and family.
Sometimes Germans then respond with a funny saying.
VANESSA
Mach’s gut, Denisa.
Goodbye (lit. do it well), Denisa.
DENISA
Mach’s besser.
Do it better.
This is simply meant to humorously outdo the other person.
Mach’s gut is a caring alternative for “Tschüss”. It translates to take care in English and can be said to friends and family. Sometimes Germans make a joke and respond with “Mach’s besser”. This can be translated to “do it better”.
Germans love making jokes when saying goodbye. At the end of the lesson, we’ll show you another funny response. Stay tuned!
4. Bye! (Bye)
This alternative is the easiest because it also exists in English. You say “bye” to friends and family. It is used just like “tschüss.”
It is more commonly used by younger people.
DENISA
Ich muss los. Bis bald.
I have to go. See you soon.
VANESSA
Bye!
Bye!
Bye is a perfect alternative for “Tschüss” because it’s used in the same way. It’s often used by younger people, and you can address friends and family with.
5. Ciao – an Italian alternative for Tschüß in German
Another alternative is “ciao.”
We’ve taken this from the Italians. But the Italians also say “ciao” when they greet someone; in Germany, it is only used for saying goodbye.
Here, young people have again made a funny alternative out of it.
VANESSA
Ciao Denisa.
DENISA
Ciao mit V!
“Ciao mit V” rhymes but has no meaning. It’s just for fun! Have you ever heard “Ciao mit V”? Write it down in the comments.
While we have stolen this alternative from the Italien, it is in Germany only used to say goodbye. Also, younger people made up the rhyme “Ciao mit V” which has no meaning at all, it’s just said for fun.
Did you know that there are many alternatives for “ich heiße“? Read that on our blog, too!
