The Art of Ending Conversations in French: 11 Phrases for a Graceful Exit
We’ve all been there! Chatting away and suddenly realizing it’s time to wrap things up. But how do you politely end a conversation without sounding abrupt in French?
Whether you’re saying goodbye to a friend, excusing yourself from a meeting, or just need a smooth exit, these French phrases will help you do it with charm and grace.
Here are some handy ways to say “catch you later” in French, so you can leave every conversation on a high note.
1. C’était un plaisir de parler avec vous
This means "It was a pleasure talking with you." It’s a polite and warm way to end a conversation, showing that you enjoyed the exchange and appreciated the other person’s company.
"Ecoutez, ça a été un plaisir de parler avec vous!"
You might also just say "Eh bien ce fut un plaisir!". A bit more formal, it typically signals the end of the exchange.
2. Je dois vous laisser
This means "I have to leave". It’s a polite way to excuse yourself from a conversation when you need to go, showing that you’ve enjoyed the time but must move on.
A commonly used alternative is "Je vais devoir vous laisser" (I’m going to have to leave), which is a bit softer and smoother.
3. Il faut que j'y aille
This phrases translates to "I have to go". It's a friendly and informal way to signal that you need to wrap up the conversation.
Similar variants are (from most direct to softest):
- "je dois y aller" (I need to head out)
- "Il faut que je file" (I have to run)
- "Il va falloir que j'y aille" (I'm going to have to run)
- "je vais devoir y aller" (I'm going to have to run).
4. Je ne suis pas en avance
This translates to "I’m not early" aka "I’m running late." It’s a gentle way of letting the other person know you’re in a hurry and need to leave.
You can also say directly "excusez-moi, je suis en retard" (sorry I'm late). An informal variation is "Je suis à la bourre" (colloquial for "I'm late").
5. Je ne vous retiens pas plus longtemps
This means "I won’t keep you any longer" - a polite way to end a conversation by acknowledging the other person’s time.
Common variations include:
- "Je ne veux pas vous déranger plus longtemps" (I don’t want to disturb you any longer)
- "Je ne vais pas vous retenir plus longtemps" (same as above except we use the future tense - a slight nuance of softness).
6. Je vous souhaite une bonne journée
This simply means "I wish you a good day." It’s a cue that you're ending the conversation, and a friendly way to close it.
Of course you can just say "bonne journée!" but it's a bit more abrupt for ending a conversation. Adding "je vous souhaite" makes it softer and less abrupt.
7. On en reparle la prochaine fois
This phrase means "We’ll talk about it next time." It’s a polite way to end a conversation while leaving the door open for future discussions.
A common variation is "La suite la prochaine fois!" (To be continued next time) or simply "A suivre!" (To be continued!). These phrases suggest that the conversation or story isn’t over and will pick up again later.
8. Je vous dis à la prochaine
This translates to "I'll now say see you next time." It’s a casual and friendly way to say goodbye, suggesting that you’ll meet again soon.
Similar to "Je vous souhaite une bonne journée" earlier, here you could just say "à la prochaine!" (see you next time) to end the conversation. However, this would come across as a bit rough.
Adding "Je vous dis" softens the phrase and makes it a lot more pleasant for signaling to the other person you're ending the exchange.
9. Je dois aller me préparer pour...
This means "I have to go get ready for…" It’s a simple and direct way to let someone know you need to get going as you have plans.
"Je dois aller me préparer pour mon rendez-vous. A bientôt j'espère!"
I have to go get ready for my appointment. Hope to see you soon!
You could also say "Il faut que j'aille me préparer".
10. Je vous remercie pour votre temps
This phrase means "Thank you for your time." It’s a polite and respectful way to end a conversation, as you acknowledge the other person’s time and attention.
You can also say "Eh bien, merci pour votre temps". "Je vous remercie" is a bit more formal and slightly stronger than just "merci".
11. On se revoit bientôt
This translates to "We’ll see each other soon." It’s a friendly way to say goodbye, with an offer or plan to meet again in the near future.
You might also say "on se recontacte bientôt" (we’ll get in touch soon) or "on se catche bientôt" (we'll catch up soon). The last phrase using the English word "catch" is often used informally.