保持联系！

You usually drop this at the tail end of a conversation. It often follows a 'Goodbye' or 'See you later.' You can say it as a standalone sentence. You can also add 我们 (we) at the start: 我们保持联系. It works perfectly in person, over the phone, or on WeChat. It is like a digital handshake that lingers after you leave.

Use it when finishing a coffee date with a new friend. Use it after a productive business meeting. It is great for networking events when swapping QR codes. If you meet a cool traveler at a hostel, say this. It signals that this wasn't just a one-time encounter. It’s the verbal equivalent of 'I'll text you.'

Don't use it with your roommate you see every morning. That would be weirdly formal. Avoid using it if you actually never want to see the person again. In some cultures, 'Stay in touch' is a polite lie. In China, people might actually follow up! Don't use it with a taxi driver or a shopkeeper. It implies a continuing relationship, not a one-off transaction.

In the past, Chinese goodbyes were very specific about the next meeting. Now, life is fast and unpredictable. 保持联系 has become the standard bridge between meetings. With the rise of WeChat, this phrase is often the cue to scan each other's QR codes. It represents the modern Chinese 'Guanxi' (relationship) building culture. It’s about keeping the thread of the relationship alive in a busy world.

You might hear 常联系 (Cháng liánxì). This means 'Contact each other often.' It’s a bit more casual and intimate. If you are feeling extra friendly, try 以后多联系 (Yǐhòu duō liánxì). This means 'Let's connect more in the future.' It adds a bit of enthusiasm to your goodbye. If you're on WeChat, you might just say 微信联系 (Contact via WeChat).