Until then (goodbye) (2025)

Hi!

[question to Anglophones] I just wanted to know if "until then" can mean something like "bye", "see you later", or am I totally wrong?

For example in a dialogue:
Bob: Next time, don't miss your target. Until then...
Carla: Goodbye, Bob.

Thanks in advance.

SP

Yes, it can be used as a way to mean "I'll see you later." But I usually add something to it:

"Until then, have a great weekend!"
"Until then, stay safe!"
"Until then, enjoy your trip!"

I think I would only use 'until then' in this way if another meeting/phone call etc. was to follow.

For example if A says "I'll be back on Friday" or "I'll see/speak to you on Friday", then B could say "OK, until then ..."

Without the understanding of a further contact, "Until then" doesn't make sense ... I'd be forever wondering "Until when?"

Hi!

[question to Anglophones] I just wanted to know if "until then" can mean something like "bye", "see you later", or am I totally wrong?

For example in a dialogue:
Bob: Next time, don't miss your target. Until then...
Carla: Goodbye, Bob.

Thanks in advance.

SP

Click to expand...

"until then" means "jusque-là", "jusqu'à ce moment-là". It doesn't mean "bye", or "see you later", but is often at the end of a sentence. That is why it might be misleading to you.

Gutenberg said:

"until then" means "jusque-là", "jusqu'à ce moment-là". It doesn't mean "bye", or "see you later", but is often at the end of a sentence. That is why it might be misleading to you.

Click to expand...

I know that, but that's not what the others said, or did I misunderstand?
And by the way, I don't think here we could say in French:
"- la prochaine fois, ne manque pas ta cible. Jusque là...
- Au revoir, Bob.

Sounds weird to me.

I know that, but that's not what the others said, or did I misunderstand?
And by the way, I don't think here we could say in French:
"- la prochaine fois, ne manque pas ta cible. Jusque là...
- Au revoir, Bob.

Sounds weird to me.

Click to expand...

You should read carefully again what the others said...

Gutenberg said:

"until then" means "jusque-là", "jusqu'à ce moment-là". It doesn't mean "bye", or "see you later", but is often at the end of a sentence. That is why it might be misleading to you.

Click to expand...

In this context, I would rather say "d'ici là"

Hi, In the example you provide, I don't think "until then" means something like "bye" or "see you later".

You example:
Bob: Next time, don't miss your target. Until then...
Carla: Goodbye, Bob.
It sounds like a slight warning: Until then (next time), I'll be watching you, you're on probation, etc.

To mean "bye" it should immediately follow a date or time, like this:
Bob: Next time, don't miss your target. Our next meeting is on Tuesday at 10 AM. Until then... (mean "until the meeting")
Carla: Goodbye, Bob.
But even in that case it's not very warm and fuzzy. At best, somewhat formal. At worst, rather stern.

Hope that helps.

Nicomon said:

In this context, I would rather say "d'ici là"

Click to expand...

You are right Nicomon. Thanks!
D'ici là (au revoir!)...

Hi!

[question to Anglophones] I just wanted to know if "until then" can mean something like "bye", "see you later", or am I totally wrong?

For example in a dialogue:
Bob: Next time, don't miss your target. Until then...
Carla: Goodbye, Bob.

Thanks in advance.

SP

Click to expand...

As you see in your example, after the words "Until then..." you have three dots (an ellipsis). The three dots indicate that the sentence is not complete and that words have not been indicated because they go without saying. It probably means "Until then, have a good time." Or "Until then, take care of yourself." Or anything else that is usually said under the circumstances in English...