Adiós and other ways of saying goodbye in Spanish
Now it's time to say goodbye in Spanish. Saying goodbye in Spanish is as simple as saying “adiós” or as easy as using expressions like “hasta luego”, “hasta mañana” or “hasta pronto”.
Here are some examples of how to say goodbye in Spanish:
- Adiós, nos vemos mañana. (Goodbye, see you tomorrow.)
- ¡Hasta mañana, chicos! (See you tomorrow, guys!)
- Me voy, luego nos vemos. (I'm leaving, see you later.)
- ¡Hasta la próxima! (See you next time!)
- Hasta luego. (See you later.)
Chau and other local expressions
Depending on the Spanish-speaking country, farewells may vary. For example, in Argentina it is very common to say “chau” instead of “adiós”. In Mexico, you might hear “hasta luego” (see you later) more often.
Don't be afraid to adopt local expressions. They will make you feel more connected to the culture, and you will be able to integrate more easily.
Usted and formal greetings
In some contexts, such as at work, in official bodies or when talking to older people, it is appropriate to use the pronoun “usted”, rather than “tú”. This is also reflected in more Spanish formal greetings. For example: “Buenas tardes, ¿cómo está usted” (Good evening, how are you?).
In general, it is normal in Spanish to greet and say goodbye in an informal tone, except for some situations, such as those described above.
If you are not sure, you can always ask the other person if you can “tutearle” or not. In English, there is no translation of the verb 'tutear', which means to speak in a close or informal way with a person, using second person pronouns, such as “tú” and “vosotros”.
Instead, if you are going to use the pronoun “usted”, use it in formal situations with teachers, principals, or people you don't know. Unless that person asks you to talk to them in an informal way.
This has been a quick, but complete, overview of greetings and responses in Spanish. The key to learning any language is constant practice. So don't be afraid to use everything you've learned. But if you want to perfect all your Spanish skills, the best way is to travel to a Spanish-speaking country such as Spain.
At don Quijote, you will find Spanish intensive courses for all ages and levels in 11 wonderful destinations thanks to our 13 Spanish language schools. Learn Spanish in Spain with don Quijote and improve your Spanish to the maximum.