How to Say "Goodbye" in Russian (Formal, Informal, Phone & Text)
Russian has several natural ways to say "goodbye," from polite and professional to super casual. Start with the two essentials, then add the variants you'll hear every day.
The 2 must-know goodbyes
До свида́ния (da svee-DA-nee-ye) — formal "goodbye."
Use with strangers, older people, teachers, clients, in stores, and in emails.
Пока́ (pa-KA) — informal "bye."
Use with friends, family, classmates, and people you know well. Cute variant: Пока́-пока́ (pa-KA pa-KA).
💡 Quick rule: If you'd say Mr./Ms. in English, use До свида́ния (da svee-DA-nee-ye). Otherwise, Пока́ (pa-KA) is fine.
Polite & professional alternatives
- Всего́ до́брого (vse-VO DOB-ra-va) — "All the best."
- Всего́ хоро́шего (vse-VO kha-RO-she-va) — "Have a good one."
- Хоро́шего дня / ве́чера (kha-RO-she-va dnya / VEH-che-ra) — "Have a nice day / evening."
"See you" options (future contact)
- До встре́чи (da v-STRE-chee) — "See you."
- До за́втра (da ZAV-tra) — "See you tomorrow."
- До ско́рого (da SKO-ra-va) — "See you soon."
- Уви́димся (oo-VEE-deem-sya) — "We'll see each other."
- Созвони́мся (sa-zva-NEEM-sya) — "We'll call each other."
- До свя́зи (da svya-ZEE) — "Talk soon / stay in touch" (informal).
On the phone & in chat
- Всего́ до́брого, до свида́ния (vse-VO DOB-ra-va, da svee-DA-nee-ye) — polite phone sign-off.
- Алло́? (ah-LOH?) — "Hello?" (answering the phone) → then close with До свида́ния or Всего́ до́брого.
- Счастли́во! (schas-LEE-va!) — "Take care!" (friendly, casual).
Mini dialogues (with transliteration)
Formal (office/shop)
— Спаси́бо за по́мощь, до свида́ния. (spa-SEE-ba za PO-moshch, da svee-DA-nee-ye.)
— Thanks for the help, goodbye.
— Всего́ до́брого! (vse-VO DOB-ra-va!)
— All the best!
Friends
— Ла́дно, я пошёл/пошла́, пока́! (LAD-na, ya pa-SHYOL / pash-LA, pa-KA!)
— Okay, I'm off, bye!
— Уви́димся за́втра! (oo-VEE-deem-sya ZAV-tra!)
— See you tomorrow!
After a meeting
— Хоро́шего дня, до встре́чи. (kha-RO-she-va dnya, da v-STRE-chee.)
— Have a nice day, see you.
Politeness & usage tips
- До свида́ния (da svee-DA-nee-ye) works everywhere; it's never "too formal."
- Пока́ (pa-KA) is for people you're on a first-name basis with.
- Add a wish for warmth: Хоро́шего дня (kha-RO-she-va dnya) or Всего́ хоро́шего (vse-VO kha-RO-she-va).
- Extra warm: say Спаси́бо (spa-SEE-ba) before your goodbye.
Practice out loud (call-and-response)
A: До свида́ния! (da svee-DA-nee-ye!)
B: Всего́ до́брого! (vse-VO DOB-ra-va!)
A: Пока́! (pa-KA!)
B: До за́втра! (da ZAV-tra!)
A: До встре́чи! (da v-STRE-chee!)
B: Хоро́шего ве́чера! (kha-RO-she-va VEH-che-ra!)
Ready to Master Russian?
These are the core ways to say "goodbye." If you want to learn 6,600 words so you can understand Russian easily and confidently reach B2 vocabulary, click the button below.
⬇️ Learn 6,600 words and reach B2