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A2How to sayberegí sebyá

How to say “Take care” in Russian

The goodbye that carries actual warmth — and three alternatives for different closenesses.

Quick answer

Береги́ себя́!

beregí sebyá — plus удачи and не боле́й — the warm Russian goodbyes

The options

Береги́ себя́!Take care! — informal
Береги́те себя́!Take care! — polite
Не боле́й!Don’t get ill! — very common
Всего́ хоро́шего!All the best!
Уда́чи!Good luck!

себя́ again

Береги́ себя́ is literally “guard yourself” — the reflexive object себя́ doing its usual job. The polite version adds -те: береги́те. The verb is бере́чь, one of the few verbs in -чь.

Which goodbye when

Всего́ хоро́шего is the all-purpose warm parting, fine with strangers. Береги́ себя́ is for people you care about. Не боле́й is said to anyone in autumn and winter — a completely ordinary farewell, not a comment on their health.

What you hear back

Спаси́бо, и ты!Thanks, you too!
И вам всего́ хоро́шего.All the best to you too.
Обяза́тельно!I will!

Typical mistakes

Береги́ тебя́!

Береги́ себя́!

The reflexive object is себя́.

Береги́ себя́ — to a stranger

Береги́те себя́.

Add the polite -те.

Check yourself

Which is correct?

The reflexive себя́.

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