DON’T Say TSCHÜß in German! Say THESE 5 Alternatives Instead!

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.

I am Denisa from Spring German. Today, in this video, I’m going to show you five alternatives. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

1.Bis später/Bis bald/Bis dann

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? Write it down in the video’s comments.

After “bis,” you can also say other words, like:

• bis morgen
• bis Dienstag
• bis demnächst

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:

• Es ist Zeit.
• Ich muss leider gehen.
• Ich habe gleich einen Termin.

But “ich muss los” is often said. Remember this chunk. Then you’ll speak like a native speaker!

Do you want to learn more German chunks? We have the free Essential German Chunking Kit for you.

Small summary: 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

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?

Summary in English: 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

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.

English summary: 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 video, I’ll show you another funny response. Stay tuned!

4. 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!

English summary: 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”? Here I have a video for you, where you can learn them. Have fun!