prendre congé

You treat it like a regular verb phrase. You can say Je prends congé. This sounds very polite and slightly old-fashioned. Usually, you say it to a host or a boss. It works well when you want to be respectful. Don't use it while running out of a burning building. Use it when you've finished your coffee and cake. It shows you value the time spent together. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a polite nod.

Use it at the end of a professional meeting. It works perfectly when leaving a dinner party. If you are visiting your elderly French aunt, use this. She will think your manners are impeccable. It’s great for formal emails too. Use it when you want to sound sophisticated. It’s the 'adult' way to leave the room. You’ll sound like a character in a classic movie.

Avoid this with your best friends at a loud bar. They will think you are being sarcastic. Don't use it if you are just popping to the bathroom. That would be very confusing for everyone. It is too stiff for a quick text message. If you’re leaving a messy breakup, it’s probably too polite. Stick to Salut or Je file for casual moments. Keep this one for when your shirt is tucked in.

This phrase has deep roots in French etiquette. Historically, 'le congé' was permission granted by a superior. In the royal courts, you couldn't just walk away. You had to 'take your leave' from the King. Today, it reflects the French love for formal social structures. It shows that leaving is an active, respectful choice. It’s about the art of the 'good' goodbye. Even today, the French value a proper transition between meeting and leaving.

You might hear prendre congé de quelqu'un. This means specifically saying goodbye to a certain person. There is also un jour de congé, which means a day off. Don't mix them up! If you 'take leave' of your boss, you are going home. If you 'take a day of leave', you aren't coming in tomorrow. Another version is donner congé, which means to fire someone or end a lease. Language is a minefield, isn't it?