Is this really an accurate translation? I've always interpreted it more as "until we meet again" in English.
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Either/or. Generally, I've seen it used with people we probably won't see again (think a cashier in a store/gas station for example). If it's someone you know and will likely see again, you would usually say "Tschüss". Keep in mind that this can be regional though.
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As the saying goes: "In Hamburg sagt man Tschüss".
Which is 100% accurate, I don't think I've ever heard "auf Wiedersehen", in any context, there.
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Accurate! Literal translation is “until our reunion” or “until we see each other again”. Kind of like the french "au revoir"
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We use it on occasions where it's unlikely that we meet again. It's rather formal. I think "good bye" captures the sentiment well.
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I use "Auf Widersehen" when I leave a store, but not when I leave a friend. I would use it after an appointment at my home (eg. technician leaving). Stuff like that.
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Just to add: on the phone you'd typically say "auf Wiederhören". But, as with "auf Wiedersehen", it's used just as "goodbye" in English. en.wiktionary.org/wiki/auf_Wiede
I assume German dogs use some form of "auf Wiederriechen".
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