في 15 ثانية
- Sounds exactly like English 'bye-bye' and means the same thing.
- The most common way to say goodbye to friends and colleagues.
- Can be written as '88' in texts and social media.
المعنى
This is the most common, friendly way to say goodbye in modern Chinese. It sounds exactly like the English 'bye-bye' and is used by almost everyone in daily life.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Leaving a coffee shop with a friend
我走了，拜拜！
I'm off, bye-bye!
Ending a phone call with a colleague
好，那先这样，拜拜。
Okay, let's leave it at that, bye-bye.
Texting a crush or close friend
明天见，88！
See you tomorrow, 88!
خلفية ثقافية
Among Gen Z and Millennials, {拜拜|bàibài} is almost exclusively used over {再见|zàijiàn} in social settings. It signals that the speaker is modern and approachable. In Taiwan, {拜拜|bàibài} is even more prevalent and is often said with a softer, more drawn-out tone. It is used in almost all levels of society except the most formal. In modern tech hubs like Shenzhen or Hangzhou, {拜拜|bàibài} is common in the office. However, in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), it is better to stick to {再见|zàijiàn}. The use of '88' is part of a larger trend of using numbers as homophones in China (like 520 for 'I love you'). It shows how the language adapts to technology.
The '88' Trick
When texting in Chinese, just type '88'. It's the ultimate insider way to say goodbye.
Tone Matters
If you say it with a rising tone, it might sound like a question. Keep it falling!
في 15 ثانية
- Sounds exactly like English 'bye-bye' and means the same thing.
- The most common way to say goodbye to friends and colleagues.
- Can be written as '88' in texts and social media.
What It Means
拜拜 (bàibài) is a phonetic loanword from the English phrase 'Bye-bye.' It sounds nearly identical to the English version. While it literally uses characters for 'worship,' it has zero religious meaning here. It is simply a warm, casual way to part ways. It is the go-to phrase for millions of people every day.
How To Use It
You can use it exactly like you use 'bye' in English. It often comes at the very end of a conversation. You can say it once or double it up for extra cuteness. In text messages, people often just write the numbers 88. This is because 'eight eight' (bā bā) sounds like 'bye bye.' It is the ultimate shortcut for lazy texters!
When To Use It
Use it with your friends, your coworkers, or the barista. It is perfect for hanging up the phone. Use it when leaving a restaurant or a convenience store. It feels lighthearted and modern. If you are finishing a video call, a quick wave and a 拜拜 is perfect. It shows you are friendly and approachable.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in extremely formal settings. Do not say it to a high-ranking government official. Avoid it during a serious business negotiation or a funeral. In these cases, the traditional 再见 (zàijiàn) is much safer. Using 拜拜 in a super serious moment might make you sound a bit too casual or even childish. It is like wearing flip-flops to a black-tie gala.
Cultural Background
This phrase entered Chinese through Hong Kong and Taiwan. It represents the 'westernization' of urban Chinese life. Before this, everyone used 再见, which means 'see you again.' 拜拜 feels more international and youthful. It is a great example of how languages borrow from each other. Even grandmas use it now to sound hip with their grandkids!
Common Variations
拜(bài): The short, quick version for when you are in a rush.88: The digital version used in gaming and texting.拜拜喽(bàibài lou): Adding a particle at the end to sound extra cheerful.那我先走了，拜拜: 'I'm leaving now, bye-bye.' This is a very natural way to exit a room.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
Extremely common in spoken Mandarin across all age groups. It is the default casual goodbye, but should be swapped for 'zàijiàn' in formal or high-stakes professional environments.
The '88' Trick
When texting in Chinese, just type '88'. It's the ultimate insider way to say goodbye.
Tone Matters
If you say it with a rising tone, it might sound like a question. Keep it falling!
The 'Double Bye'
Chinese speakers love reduplication. Saying {拜拜|bàibài} sounds much more natural than just a single {拜|bài}.
Service Industry
It's very common to say {拜拜|bàibài} to delivery drivers and shopkeepers.
أمثلة
6我走了，拜拜！
I'm off, bye-bye!
A standard, friendly way to end a hangout.
好，那先这样，拜拜。
Okay, let's leave it at that, bye-bye.
Commonly used to wrap up informal work calls.
明天见，88！
See you tomorrow, 88!
Using the number shorthand is very common in digital chat.
老师拜拜！
Bye-bye teacher!
Children often use this because it is easy to say.
我不听了，拜拜！
I'm not listening anymore, bye-bye!
Can be used with a hint of sass among friends.
一路平安，拜拜。
Have a safe trip, bye-bye.
Used when parting for a longer period of time.
اختبر نفسك
Which of the following is the most appropriate situation to use {拜拜|bàibài}?
You are leaving...
{拜拜|bàibài} is perfect for casual, everyday service interactions like leaving a shop.
Complete the digital chat message.
{我|wǒ}{去|qù}{睡觉|shuìjiào}{了|le}，____！
'88' is the common numeric shorthand for {拜拜|bàibài} in text messages.
Match the farewell to the person you are speaking to.
Match: 1. {拜拜|bàibài} 2. {再见|zàijiàn} 3. {慢走|mànzǒu}
{拜拜|bàibài} is for friends, {再见|zàijiàn} is for formal settings, and {慢走|mànzǒu} is for guests.
Complete the phone dialogue.
A: {那|nà}{先|xiān}{这样|zhèyàng}，{我|wǒ}{挂|guà}{了|le}。 B: {好|hǎo}，____。
{拜拜|bàibài} is the standard way to end a phone call.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
When to say {拜拜|bàibài}
Friends
- • Hanging out
- • Texting
- • Phone calls
Shops
- • Convenience stores
- • Cafes
- • Taxis
Family
- • Leaving home
- • Calling parents
{拜拜|bàibài} vs {再见|zàijiàn}
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينYou are leaving...
{拜拜|bàibài} is perfect for casual, everyday service interactions like leaving a shop.
{我|wǒ}{去|qù}{睡觉|shuìjiào}{了|le}，____！
'88' is the common numeric shorthand for {拜拜|bàibài} in text messages.
Match: 1. {拜拜|bàibài} 2. {再见|zàijiàn} 3. {慢走|mànzǒu}
{拜拜|bàibài} is for friends, {再见|zàijiàn} is for formal settings, and {慢走|mànzǒu} is for guests.
A: {那|nà}{先|xiān}{这样|zhèyàng}，{我|wǒ}{挂|guà}{了|le}。 B: {好|hǎo}，____。
{拜拜|bàibài} is the standard way to end a phone call.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it is used by adults of all ages in casual and semi-formal settings.
If your boss is young or you have a friendly relationship, yes. If it's a formal environment, use {再见|zàijiàn}.
The number 8 in Chinese is 'bā'. 'bā bā' sounds like 'bye-bye'.
Yes, it's a direct loanword, but it's used more broadly in Chinese than in English.
It's common to wave, just like in Western cultures.
Saying {拜|bài} once is very casual and usually only used with very close friends or when in a hurry.
Yes, it is understood and used throughout Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Only in a very casual email to a friend. For business emails, use formal closings.
Yes, {拜拜|bàibài}, though the characters are chosen for their sound.
It is friendly-polite, but not formal-polite.
عبارات ذات صلة
{再见|zàijiàn}
similarGoodbye (lit. see you again)
{慢走|mànzǒu}
specialized formWalk slowly
{明天|míngtiān}{见|jiàn}
builds onSee you tomorrow
{失陪|shīpéi}
contrastExcuse me, I must leave
{挂|guà}{了|le}
specialized formHanging up
