Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Dutch grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Doei, tot ziens!
What is the difference between doei and tot ziens?
Doei is a very casual, everyday way to say "bye" to friends, family, or friendly store clerks. Tot ziens is the standard, slightly more polite way to say "goodbye". You can use tot ziens in almost any situation, from a bakery to a formal meeting.
What does tot literally mean here?
Tot translates to "until". You will see it used in many Dutch goodbyes to mean "see you", such as tot morgen (until tomorrow) or tot straks (until later).
Why is there an 's' at the end of ziens?
It comes from an old grammar rule that is rarely used anymore. Zien is the verb "to see", and the extra 's' turns it into a noun phrase meaning "until the seeing". At this level, it is best to just memorize tot ziens as a fixed phrase!
Is it normal to say both doei and tot ziens at the same time?
Yes! Dutch speakers often string goodbyes together. Saying doei, tot ziens is a very common, cheerful way to leave an interaction, like stepping out of a cafe or finishing a chat with a neighbor.