German Phrase
Bis bald.
Meaning
'Bis bald' is a standard German parting that literally translates to 'until soon.' It is used to express a friendly goodbye when you anticipate seeing the person again in the near future. It strikes a perfect balance between being casual and polite.
When to use
Use this phrase when leaving friends, family, or colleagues if you have plans to meet again shortly. It is common at the end of a conversation, a phone call, or when departing from a social gathering.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Bisbald
Bis
A preposition meaning 'until', which is used in many German time-based farewells.
bald
An adverb meaning 'soon'. In this phrase, it functions as the temporal destination of the 'until' greeting.
🗨In Conversation
Ich muss jetzt leider gehen, mein Zug fährt gleich.
I have to go now unfortunately, my train is leaving soon.
Kein Problem, bis bald!
No problem, see you soon!
✕Common Mistakes
Bis baldige.
'Bald' is the correct adverb to use in this phrase; 'baldige' is an inflected adjective that doesn't fit here.
Bis zu bald.
The preposition 'bis' is used directly with 'bald' without needing 'zu' in this idiom.
↔Alternatives
Bis später.
See you later.
Bis dann.
See you then.
Wir sehen uns!
See ya!
Cultural Tip
In Germany, saying 'Bis bald' is often more than just a polite filler; it usually implies a genuine expectation of a future encounter. While 'Tschüss' is the most common informal goodbye, 'Bis bald' adds a warm touch of anticipation for the next meeting.