What does "See you later!" mean exactly

Hi

looking for some clarification about the phrase "See you later!"

I had a query from a Korean friend.

I've always thought that "see you later" meant you would see someone later that day.

So if there is no chance I will see a friend later that day (example - he is leaving my house at 11pm), I don't say "see you later".

I say "See you tomorrow!" , "See you whenever!" , "See you around!" etc

What do other people think?

Is it correct to say "See you later" if you're only going to see someone the next day or next week?

Personally,  I'll say "See you next week/tomorrow/this afternoon" when I know exactly when I'll see someone again.  I'll say "See you later" as a substitute for good-bye, if I'm in a hurry or if I know I'll see someone at some point in the future.  Not sure if this is the grammatically correct usage, but it is part of my every day speech.

I would say it is used for an indefinite time.  Sure, we can say, "See you in an hour" or "See you next Monday,"  but using later would just imply again sometime in the future.

To be honest, I think this phrase is useful mainly because it IS so vague. I can say to someone "See you later" if I'll see them later in the day, week, month. It is also sufficiently vague to get you out of making any commitments (which is why I quite like it). I imagine the only time you shouldn't use it is if you don't expect to ever see the person again...

Certainly in the part of England I'm from we'll say "See you later!" whether you plan on seeing them again that day or not for a week or so. It's just used a a general casual goodbye. I would say it to my friends and colleagues, but not to my boss for instance.

Charlie

I wouldn't have a problem with using "See you later" even if I might not see them for months. I would always use a specific time if I knew when we're next meeting, like "See you tonight" or "See you next week", but if I'm not clear on when exactly we're meeting next I'd just use "See you" or "See you later". This seems like something that could vary a lot from person to person though.

Add one to the "indefinite later" group. That's what I use it for. Also, this:

It is also sufficiently vague to get you out of making any commitments (which is why I quite like it). I imagine the only time you shouldn't use it is if you don't expect to ever see the person again...

I would say it is used for an indefinite time.  Sure, we can say, "See you in an hour" or "See you next Monday,"  but using later would just imply again sometime in the future.

Yeah, there's no time frame on "later." Later is just a vague notion that means, 'not right now'. It can be in 5 minutes, it can be in 5 years.

I would say it is used for an indefinite time.  Sure, we can say, "See you in an hour" or "See you next Monday,"  but using later would just imply again sometime in the future.

I agree with this, although it got me in trouble with my Korean ex once.  I told her I'd call her later and she was a bit miffed that I didn't call later that day.  Oops.

I agree with most of the responses here, especially the virtues of vagueness. There are other versions that put the unspecified time further back: "See you again sometime" or "See you around" are also ones you could discuss.

For time periods of less than 12 hours I would use the phrase 'later alligator'.
Between 12-36 hours until our next encounter I find 'take her easy, lemon squeezy' more appropriate.
Anything more than that I would employ 'catch you on the hippity hop (don't stop)'  to work best.

These guidelines should be rigidly adhered to.

For time periods of less than 12 hours I would use the phrase 'later alligator'.
Between 12-36 hours until our next encounter I find 'take her easy, lemon squeezy' more appropriate.
Anything more than that I would employ 'catch you on the hippity hop (don't stop)'  to work best.

These guidelines should be rigidly adhered to.

Then where does 'see ya round like a rissole' fit in?   

For time periods of less than 12 hours I would use the phrase 'later alligator'.
Between 12-36 hours until our next encounter I find 'take her easy, lemon squeezy' more appropriate.
Anything more than that I would employ 'catch you on the hippity hop (don't stop)'  to work best.

These guidelines should be rigidly adhered to.

Then where does 'see ya round like a rissole' fit in?   

Anything else is straying from the Queen's very proper English

It is sometimes also used to "blow someone off" ... which means to basically say goodbye, conclude your current conversation and give them an appropriate non-specific reply that is so open ended that you have no obligation to try to ever meet them again.

I always use it to mean you will see them again that day, or in the near future.

It's a common Korean expression as well.  In Korean you say 이따 봐요 - "eeta pua-yo" (lit. 'later see') or 나중에 봐요 - "nah joong ay pua-yo".

I would say it is used for an indefinite time.  Sure, we can say, "See you in an hour" or "See you next Monday,"  but using later would just imply again sometime in the future.

In Korea "See you later" means "see you some days". So we can still say "see you later" even at 11 p.m.

I don't think it is all that important unless the response is, "not if I see you first"!  :D

See you at a future (later) time.  Ie - some non specified point in the future.

It is sometimes also used to "blow someone off" ...

Now, that's what I'm talking about