What Does “See You Then” Mean? Plus, When & How to Use It

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Learn how to confirm plans in casual and formal settings

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Annaliese Dunne

Last Updated: September 15, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Meaning
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• Usage
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• Alternative Phrases

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“See you then” is a casual way to end a conversation if you plan to meet the other person again, but is it okay to use in the workplace? In this article, we’ll explain when and how to use this popular phrase, plus provide more formal alternatives for professional settings. We’ll also teach you how to confirm the details of your plans so you always meet people at the right date and time!

Things You Should Know

• “See you then” is an informal way to end a conversation when you’ve made plans to meet the other person again.
• Use “See you then” to confirm the date and time of your next meetup with a friend, family member, or close colleague.
• Alternatively, use the phrases “I will see you then” or “I look forward to seeing you” to confirm plans in formal and professional settings.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

What does “See you then” mean?

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1. “See you then” is a parting phrase used when you plan to meet again soon. It’s a polite and casual way to end a conversation with someone if you’ve already discussed the time and/or date of your next encounter. “See you then” is a shortened version of the phrase “I will see you then,” so it is reserved for informal settings with friends, family members, and close colleagues.

   • Think of the phrase as another way of saying goodbye to someone if you’ve made future plans with them.
   • Technically speaking, the phrase “I will see you then” is more grammatically correct than “See you then” because it includes the subject “I.” So, “I will see you then” is the more appropriate phrase for formal and professional settings.
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Section 2 of 3:

When & How to Use “See you then”

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1. 1
   Use “See you then” to confirm (or reconfirm) future plans with someone. Did you agree to pick up your sister from the airport? Or, are you hanging out with your bestie over the weekend? If you make plans with a friend, family member, or close colleague, tell them “See you then” to confirm the details of your meetup. It’s a casual way to end the conversation, whether you’re talking to them in person or over text.

   • Them: “Do you want to meet for lunch this Friday?👀 ”
   • You: “Yes! See you then😄”
2. 2
   Use “See you then” as a casual sign off for email. If you’ve set up a meeting with a close colleague, end your correspondence with “See you then” to confirm the date and time. It’s a friendly way to express that you’ll be attending, but avoid using the phrase with casual acquaintances, clients, your manager, or anyone of higher authority—it’s only acceptable to say to people who are fairly close to you.

   • Them: “Are you free to go over the outline on Friday at 1 PM?”
   • You: “Yes, that works for me. See you then!”
3. 3
   Use “See you then” to let someone know you'll be at a big event. If someone reminds you about a group event that you’ll both be attending, reply with “See you then” to affirm you got their message. Maybe your friend reminds you about a party at the end of the week. Or, maybe your mom reminds you about a family gathering over the weekend. Whatever the event may be, responding with “See you then” is an informal way to confirm you’ll see them there.

   • Them: “Don’t forget we have the fundraiser on Thursday!”
   • You: “Omg, thanks for reminding me. See you then!”
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Section 3 of 3:

Alternative Phrases

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1. 1
   I will see you then. If you’re speaking to your boss, client, or someone of higher authority, use this expression to confirm future plans and be professional at work. It has the exact same meaning as “See you then,” but it sounds more polite and formal.

   • Them: “I can only meet with you at 7 AM tomorrow. Does that work for you?”
   • You: “Yes, that's no problem! I will see you then, Mr. Raven.”
2. 2
   I look forward to seeing you. After you’ve made plans with someone in a professional or formal setting, use this phrase to confirm the details and end the conversation on a positive note. It’s even more formal and polite than saying “I will see you then” because it implies anticipation for meeting them in the future.

   • Them: “Your interview will be at 12 PM on Friday. Is that okay?”
   • You: “Sounds good, and thank you for the opportunity! I look forward to seeing you.”
3. 3
   See you at 10 AM. Do you want to make sure you’re meeting someone at the correct date and time? Use an expression that’s specific about your plans to confirm the details. If the other person isn’t on the same page as you, they’ll let you know and you can schedule another time to meet. Just make sure to preface the phrase with “I will” to be polite and professional in formal settings.

   • “See you after work on Friday🥂🕺”
   • “See you after the exam. Good luck🤞”
   • “I’ll see you at the gala on Saturday, right?”
   • “I will see you before the meeting on Monday.”
4. 4
   See you later. If you plan to see a friend, family member, or close colleague later in the day (or the following day), replace “then” with another adverb to imply you’ll see them soon. It’s friendly, casual, and straight to the point, and it’s the perfect way to end a conversation when you don’t have anything else to say.

   • “See you soon!”
   • “See you tonight🪩”
   • “See you after school.”
   • “See you in the morning🌞”
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