A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "See you later" in French
French for 'see you later,' a common casual goodbye for friends and acquaintances.
À plus tard
ah ploo TAHRcasual
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you expect to see the person again relatively soon, perhaps later the same day or the next day. It's a friendly way to end a conversation when you're not saying goodbye for a long time.
Alternatives
- À tout à l'heureUse this if you'll see them again very soon, like within the hour.
- SalutThis is a very casual 'bye' that can also mean 'hi'.
- Au revoirThis is the standard, more neutral goodbye for most situations.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 's' in 'plus'
The 's' in 'plus' is silent here, so it sounds like 'ploo' not 'ploos'.
The 'r' sound
French 'r' is guttural, made in the back of the throat, not a rolled 'r' like in Spanish.
A small cultural note
While 'À plus tard' is common, younger generations often shorten it further to just 'À plus' (ah ploos), sometimes even written as 'A+' in texts.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When do I use 'À plus tard' vs 'Au revoir'?
'À plus tard' implies you'll see them again relatively soon. 'Au revoir' is a more general, neutral goodbye for any situation.
Is 'À plus tard' too informal for a shopkeeper?
Generally yes, it's best to stick to 'Au revoir' with shopkeepers unless you know them well and have a friendly rapport.
Can I use 'À plus tard' with my boss?
It depends on your relationship. If you use 'tu' with your boss and have a casual work environment, it might be okay. Otherwise, 'Au revoir' is safer.
