A0 Expressions & Patterns 5 min read Leicht

Farewells (Rămas-bun)

Always match your goodbye to your relationship: 'La revedere' for respect, 'Pa' for friends.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Mastering Romanian farewells is about choosing the right level of formality for your situation.

  • Use 'La revedere' for almost any situation (formal or neutral).
  • Use 'Pa' or 'Ciao' for friends and family.
  • Use 'Pe curând' when you expect to see the person soon.
Greeting + Time/Context = Farewell

Overview

Saying goodbye is just as important as saying hello. In Romania, leaving without a word is considered quite rude. You want to leave a good impression, right?
Romanian farewells are mostly fixed phrases. This is great news for you. You don't need to worry about complex verbs yet.
You just need to pick the right phrase for the right person. Whether you are leaving a cafe or hanging up the phone, there is a perfect word for it. Think of these as your social exit tickets.
Most of these phrases are short and easy to remember. They help you sound polite and natural immediately. Let's dive into the world of Romanian goodbyes.
It is easier than you think!

How This Grammar Works

Romanian farewells act like building blocks. You don't usually change the words inside the phrase. You just swap the whole block depending on who you are talking to.
Unlike English, Romanian has a clear split between formal and informal. This is the most important thing to learn. You use one set of words for friends and family.
You use another set for bosses, teachers, or strangers. It is like choosing the right outfit for an event. You wouldn't wear pajamas to a job interview.
Similarly, you wouldn't say Pa to a bank manager. Most farewells are based on the time of day or the wish for a future meeting.

Formation Pattern

1
There are three main ways to form a goodbye in Romanian.
2
The Standard Formal Way: Use La revedere. This literally means
Until we see each other again.
It works everywhere. It is the safest choice for beginners.
3
The Friendly Informal Way: Use Pa. This is short, sweet, and very common. It is like saying Bye in English. You can even double it up: Pa, pa!
4
The Time-Based Wish: Use O zi bună (A good day) or O seară bună (A good evening). You usually say these right before you leave a shop or a restaurant.
5
The Future-Focused Way: Use Pe curând. This means See you soon. You use this when you know you will meet the person again shortly.

When To Use It

You will use these expressions in every daily interaction. Imagine you are at a local market in Bucharest. You bought your apples and paid the vendor.
You should say La revedere or O zi bună as you walk away. If you are finishing a coffee with a new friend, Pa is your best friend. In a professional setting, like a job interview, always stick to La revedere.
It shows respect and maturity. If you are leaving a party at 11 PM, you can say Noapte bună (Good night). This signals you are going home to sleep.
On the phone, the rules are the same. End the call with a polite La revedere or a friendly Pa. It is all about the vibe of the conversation.

When Not To Use It

Don't use Noapte bună just because it is dark outside. If you are meeting someone for dinner at 8 PM, don't say it when you leave if the night is still young. Use O seară bună instead.
Noapte bună is strictly for bedtime. Also, avoid using Rămas-bun in daily life. You might see it in old books or movies.
It sounds very dramatic, like you are leaving forever. Unless you are moving to another planet, stick to La revedere. Using Pa with your doctor or a police officer is also a bad idea.
It might make you seem a bit too casual or even disrespectful. Think of it like a grammar traffic light: red for formal, green for friends.

Common Mistakes

One big mistake is mixing levels of formality. If you start a conversation with Bună ziua (Formal Hello), don't end it with Pa (Informal Bye). It feels like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops. Another mistake is the literal translation of Good night. Many learners say Noapte bună when they leave a bar at 9 PM. In Romanian, this sounds like you are telling everyone to go to sleep right now. Stick to O seară bună for general evening departures. Also, watch out for Ciao. While common in some parts of Romania, it is very informal. If you are unsure, La revedere is always the winner. Yes, even native speakers get the formality wrong sometimes, but as a learner, being polite is your superpower.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

You might confuse Bună (Hi) with Pa (Bye). In some languages, like Italian, 'Ciao' works for both. In Romanian, they are usually separate.
Bună is for arriving. Pa is for leaving. Also, compare O zi bună with Bună ziua.
Bună ziua is a greeting (Hello). O zi bună is a farewell (Have a good day). It is a small difference, but it matters.
If you say Bună ziua while walking out the door, people might think you just walked back in! Another contrast is Pe mâine (See you tomorrow) versus Pe curând (See you soon). Use Pe mâine only if you have a specific plan to meet the next day.

Quick FAQ

Q

Is Pa rude?

No, it is just informal. Use it with friends!

Q

Can I use Ciao in Romania?

Yes, especially in the West, but keep it informal.

Q

What is the most polite goodbye?

Vă salut is very polite, but La revedere is the standard professional choice.

Q

How do I say goodbye to a group?

You can say La revedere tuturor which means Goodbye to everyone.

Q

Do I need to wave?

It is common, but a polite nod with La revedere works perfectly too.

Common Farewell Phrases

Phrase Register Meaning
La revedere
Formal/Neutral
Goodbye
Pa
Informal
Bye
Ciao
Informal
Bye
Pe curând
Neutral
See you soon
Pe mâine
Neutral
See you tomorrow
Pe mai târziu
Neutral
See you later

Meanings

These expressions are used to signal the end of a conversation or interaction.

1

Standard Farewell

The universal way to say goodbye.

“La revedere!”

“La revedere, ne vedem mâine.”

2

Casual Farewell

Used with friends, family, or peers.

“Pa!”

“Ciao!”

3

Time-bound Farewell

Indicating when you will meet again.

“Pe curând!”

“Pe mai târziu!”

Reference Table

Reference table for Farewells (Rămas-bun)
Romanian Phrase English Translation Formality Level
La revedere
Goodbye / Until we meet again
Formal / Neutral
Pa
Bye
Informal
O zi bună
Have a good day
Neutral / Polite
O seară bună
Have a good evening
Neutral / Polite
Noapte bună
Good night
Neutral (Bedtime only)
Pe curând
See you soon
Neutral
Pe mâine
See you tomorrow
Neutral

Formalitätsspektrum

Formell
La revedere

La revedere (Leaving a place)

Neutral
La revedere

La revedere (Leaving a place)

Informell
Pa

Pa (Leaving a place)

Umgangssprache
Ciao

Ciao (Leaving a place)

The World of Romanian Farewells

Goodbye

Formal

  • La revedere Until we meet again
  • Vă salut I salute you

Informal

  • Pa Bye
  • Ciao Ciao

Time-Specific

  • O zi bună Good day
  • Noapte bună Good night

Casual vs. Professional

Casual (Friends)
Pa / Pa pa Bye
Pe curând See you soon
Professional (Strangers)
La revedere Goodbye
O zi bună Have a good day

Choosing the Right Farewell

1

Is the person a friend or family?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'La revedere'
2

Are they going to sleep right now?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'Pa'
3

Is it late at night?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'Noapte bună'

Farewells by Time of Day

☀️

Morning/Afternoon

  • • O zi bună
  • • La revedere
🌆

Evening

  • • O seară bună
  • • Pe mâine
🌙

Bedtime

  • • Noapte bună
  • • Somn ușor

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

La revedere!

Goodbye!

2

Pa, mama!

Bye, mom!

3

Ciao!

Bye!

4

Pe curând!

See you soon!

1

La revedere, domnule!

Goodbye, sir!

2

Pa, ne vedem mâine!

Bye, see you tomorrow!

3

Pe mai târziu!

See you later!

4

O zi bună, la revedere!

Have a good day, goodbye!

1

Trebuie să plec, la revedere!

I have to go, goodbye!

2

Ne mai auzim, pa!

We'll talk later, bye!

3

Pe mâine, colegi!

See you tomorrow, colleagues!

4

Ciao, ne vedem diseară!

Bye, see you tonight!

1

Vă mulțumesc pentru ajutor, la revedere.

Thank you for the help, goodbye.

2

A fost o plăcere, pe curând!

It was a pleasure, see you soon!

3

Pa, să ai o seară frumoasă!

Bye, have a nice evening!

4

Ne vedem la conferință, la revedere.

See you at the conference, goodbye.

1

Vă doresc o zi excelentă, la revedere.

I wish you an excellent day, goodbye.

2

Pe curând, sper să ne revedem curând.

See you soon, I hope we meet again soon.

3

Pa, ne auzim la telefon!

Bye, we'll talk on the phone!

4

La revedere, a fost o onoare.

Goodbye, it was an honor.

1

Vă las în grija colegului meu, la revedere.

I leave you in my colleague's care, goodbye.

2

Pe curând, aștept cu interes vești de la dumneavoastră.

See you soon, I look forward to hearing from you.

3

Pa, ne vedem la cafea!

Bye, see you for coffee!

4

La revedere, vă doresc toate cele bune.

Goodbye, I wish you all the best.

Leicht verwechselbar

Farewells (Rămas-bun) vs. La revedere vs Pa

Learners use them interchangeably.

Farewells (Rămas-bun) vs. Pe curând vs Pe mâine

Both use 'Pe'.

Farewells (Rămas-bun) vs. Ciao vs Salut

Both are Italian-influenced.

Häufige Fehler

✗

Ciao to a judge

✓

La revedere

Too informal.
✗

Revedere

✓

La revedere

Incomplete phrase.
✗

Pa to a stranger

✓

La revedere

Too informal.
✗

La revedere to a dog

✓

Pa

Overly formal.
✗

Pe curând to a boss

✓

La revedere

A bit too casual.
✗

Ciao to a client

✓

La revedere

Unprofessional.
✗

Pe mâine to a stranger

✓

La revedere

Too familiar.
✗

Pa in a formal email

✓

Cu stimă

Wrong register for writing.
✗

Ciao in a formal speech

✓

La revedere

Inappropriate.
✗

La revedere to a close friend

✓

Pa

Sounds distant.
✗

Using slang in a funeral

✓

La revedere

Tone mismatch.
✗

Pa in a formal letter

✓

Vă salut

Wrong register.
✗

Ciao to a professor

✓

La revedere

Disrespectful.
✗

Pe curând to a judge

✓

La revedere

Too familiar.

Satzmuster

___, la revedere!

___, ne vedem mâine!

Trebuie să plec, ___!

___, a fost o plăcere.

Real World Usage

Shop constant

La revedere!

Texting very common

Pa!

Job interview common

La revedere, vă mulțumesc.

Travel occasional

La revedere, drum bun!

Food delivery common

La revedere, mulțumesc!

Social media common

Ciao!

💡

The Double 'Pa'

Saying Pa pa sounds much friendlier and softer than a single Pa. It's very common among friends and when talking to children.
⚠️

The 'Rămas-bun' Trap

Don't use Rămas-bun unless you are in a drama movie. It's way too formal and sounds like you're never coming back. Stick to La revedere.
💬

Politeness in Shops

Romanians value a polite exit. Even if you didn't buy anything, saying La revedere or O zi bună to the clerk is standard etiquette.
🎯

The 'See you' Shortcut

If you know exactly when you'll meet again, use Pe + the time. Pe luni (See you Monday) or Pe diseară (See you tonight).

Smart Tips

Always add 'O zi bună' after 'La revedere'.

La revedere. → La revedere, o zi bună!

Use 'Pa' instead of 'La revedere'.

La revedere, Andrei. → Pa, Andrei!

Use 'Pe mâine'.

La revedere, ne vedem mâine. → Pe mâine!

Use 'Ne mai auzim'.

La revedere. → Ne mai auzim, la revedere!

Aussprache

/la re.ve.de.re/

La revedere

Pronounced: la re-ve-de-re. Stress on the second 'e'.

Falling

La revedere ↓

Finality and politeness.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

La revedere: 'La' (at) 'revedere' (re-seeing). Think: 'Until we see each other again'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine waving at a train station. The train is leaving, and you are saying 'La revedere' to a friend.

Rhyme

La revedere, ne vedem la vedere.

Story

You finish your coffee in Bucharest. You stand up, smile at the waiter, and say 'La revedere'. Outside, you see a friend and shout 'Pa!'. You feel like a local.

Word Web

La revederePaCiaoPe curândPe mâineNe vedem

Herausforderung

Say 'La revedere' to someone today (even if it's just a cashier).

Kulturelle Hinweise

Romanians value politeness. 'La revedere' is essential in shops.

La revedere comes from 'la' (at) and 'revedere' (re-seeing).

Gesprächseinstiege

“

Cum spui la revedere?

“

Ce spui când pleci de la muncă?

“

Este 'Ciao' formal?

“

Cum închei o scrisoare?

Tagebuch-Impulse

Write about your day and how you said goodbye to people.
Describe a formal meeting and how you ended it.
Compare formal and informal farewells.
Write a dialogue between a boss and an employee.

Häufige Fehler

Incorrect

Richtig

Incorrect

Richtig

Incorrect

Richtig

Incorrect

Richtig

Test Yourself

You are leaving a pharmacy. Choose the most appropriate polite farewell.

Mulțumesc pentru ajutor. ___!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La revedere
A pharmacy is a formal/neutral service setting, so 'La revedere' is the best fit.
You are saying goodbye to your younger brother.

Eu plec acum. ___!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pa
'Pa' is the standard informal goodbye for family members.
It is 9 PM and you are leaving a friend's dinner party, but they are staying up.

Mâncarea a fost excelentă. ___!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O seară bună
Since the night is continuing for them, 'O seară bună' is better than 'Noapte bună'.

Score: /3

Ubungsaufgaben

8 exercises
Which is formal? Multiple Choice

How do you say goodbye to a boss?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La revedere
La revedere is the standard formal farewell.
Fill in the blank.

___, ne vedem mâine!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pa
Pa is appropriate for friends.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ciao, domnule profesor!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La revedere, domnule profesor
Use formal farewells for teachers.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

revedere / La / !

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La revedere!
Correct word order.
Match the phrase to the register. Match Pairs

Match: Pa - Formal, La revedere - Informal

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pa-Informal, La revedere-Formal
Register check.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Goodbye + have a good day

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La revedere, o zi bună!
Standard formal phrase.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Plec acum. B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La revedere!
Appropriate response.
True or False? True False Rule

Is 'Ciao' formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Ciao is informal.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

Yes, but it might sound a bit formal. 'Pa' is better.

It means 'See you soon'.

It's borrowed from Italian but very common.

When you will see the person tomorrow.

In formal settings, yes.

No, it's too informal.

No, just break it down: la-re-ve-de-re.

Yes, like 'Ne mai auzim' (we'll talk later).

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Adiós

Romanian 'La revedere' is more literal.

French high

Au revoir

None, very similar.

German high

Auf Wiedersehen

German is more formal.

Japanese low

Sayonara

Romanian is less complex.

Arabic low

Ma'a as-salama

Romanian is secular.

Chinese moderate

Zai jian

Romanian has more register variation.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Introducing Yourself (Prezentarea)

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