How to say "goodbye" in Russian
When to use it
Neutral and polite. 'Пока' is the casual version.
Syllables & stress
Literal meaning
Literally 'until the meeting' — it implies you expect to meet again. «Пока» is the casual 'bye' between friends.
Variations
Examples
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "goodbye" in Russian?
"goodbye" in Russian is До свидания, pronounced Do svidaniya (da svi-DA-nya — stress on the capitalised syllable).
How do you pronounce До свидания?
Do svidaniya — IPA /də svʲɪˈdanʲɪjə/. Syllables: da svi-DA-nya. Use the Listen button above to hear it.
What does До свидания literally mean?
Literally 'until the meeting' — it implies you expect to meet again. «Пока» is the casual 'bye' between friends.
Is До свидания formal or informal?
Neutral and polite. 'Пока' is the casual version.
Are there other ways to say "goodbye" in Russian?
Yes: Пока (Poka) — Bye (informal); До встречи (Do vstrechi) — See you.
More phrases
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Written by Vlad Lario
Russian in Lisbon. I read both sides and write down what differs.
About the author