Dovidenia / Maj sa
Saying Goodbye
Say Dovidenia to anyone when you leave. To wish someone well, say Maj sa! to one friend or Majte sa! politely or to several people.
How It Works
Dovidenia literally means "until seeing (again)". It is the safe, polite goodbye in shops, offices and with people you do not know well, and it is also fine with friends. You may also see it written as two words, do videnia. Both spellings are correct, and the one-word dovidenia is the usual one.
Maj sa / Majte sa means "take care" or "have a good one". It comes from mať sa, the same verb as in Ako sa máš?. Choose the form the same way you choose between ty and vy (see tykanie a vykanie):
- Maj sa! to one friend, relative or child.
- Majte sa! to one person you address politely, or to two or more people.
These are command forms; the -te ending is explained in rozkazovací spôsob na -te a -me.
Other goodbyes you will hear:
- Ahoj and Čau say bye to friends (see Ahoj / Čau).
- Dopočutia ("until hearing") ends a phone call.
- Dobrú noc is a goodbye late at night.
People often combine them: Ďakujem, dovidenia! or Čau, maj sa!
Examples (6)
- Ďakujem, dovidenia!
Thank you, goodbye!
What you say when leaving a shop or café.
- Dovidenia, pán Novák.
Goodbye, Mr Novák.
Dovidenia is right for someone you address politely.
- Maj sa pekne!
Take care!
Word by Word: Have yourself nicely!
To one friend. Pekne (nicely) is a common friendly addition.
- Uvidíme sa zajtra. Maj sa!
See you tomorrow. Take care!
Maj sa is the ty form for one person.
- Majte sa dobre, pani Kováčová!
Take care, Mrs Kováčová!
Majte sa is the polite form for one person you address with vy.
- Deti, majte sa pekne!
Take care, children!
Majte sa is also the form for two or more people.
Common Mistakes
Using the singular maj sa for a group.
Maj sa, deti!Majte sa, deti!Maj sa speaks to one person you call ty. For two or more people, use majte sa.
Saying maj sa to a stranger or a shop assistant.
Ďakujem, maj sa!Ďakujem, dovidenia!Maj sa addresses the person with ty, which sounds too familiar with someone you do not know. Say dovidenia, or majte sa.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Saying Goodbye, learn Neutral Greeting. Dovidenia is the polite goodbye that pairs with Dobrý deň.
Related Patterns
- Ahoj / ČauInformal Hi and Bye
Informal words that also say bye to friends.
Level 1 - Dobré ráno / Dobrý večer / Dobrú nocMorning, Evening and Night Greetings
Dobrú noc is the goodbye for late at night.
Level 1 - Ako sa máš / Ako sa máteAsking How Someone Is
Uses the same verb, mať sa, to ask how someone is.
Level 1 - Informal ty and Polite vy
Decides whether you say maj sa or majte sa.
Level 1 - -te / -meCommands with -te and -me
Explains the -te ending in majte sa.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice Dovidenia / Maj sa in Bubblegum
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