Don’t say adiós in Spanish every time you need to say goodbye. Obviously, it’s one of the commonest words in our language and one of the best known all around. However, nowadays, adiós can sound a bit formal or old-fashioned, especially, in the colloquial register. Fortunately, the Spanish language is very rich and we have many other choices. So, don’t say adiós in Spanish every time and let’s see those options.
Don’t say “adiós” in Spanish and say “hasta…”
Have you seen the movie “Terminator 2”? Of course, you have. Who does not remember Arnold Schwarzenegger saying hasta la vista, baby? Perhaps, this expression is not the most popular in our time, but it’s still very used. The preposition hasta means “until” or “till” and “ la vista is “the sight”. So, literally, we say “until the sight”, or, freely, “see you”. So, don’t say adiós in Spanish exclusively and use these more trending options:
Hasta luego = see you later
Hasta pronto = see you soon
Hasta mañana = see you tomorrow
Hasta la próxima = see you next time
Don’t say “adiós” in Spanish and say “te veo/nos vemos”
If you want to sound more natural, don’t say adiós in Spanish every time because we have another variation of the English “see you…” and it’s a literally translation: te veo… This short form is a little more informal:
Te veo luego = see you later
Te veo pronto = see you soon
Te veo mañana = see you tomorrow
Do you want to be even more familiar? You can use nosotros instead of yo as the subject of the verb (we see each other…):
Nos vemos luego = see you later
Nos vemos pronto = see you soon
Nos vemos mañana = see you tomorrow
More formal expressions to say goodbye in Spanish
Obviously, we do not always speak in a colloquial register, with family or friends. What if you need to talk to your boss, a stranger or a very old person? Of course, adiós is a good option, but don’t use adiós in Spanish forever. Here you have more choices:
(Que tenga) Buenas noches = (Have a) good night
(Que tenga) Buen día = have a good day
(Vaya) Con Dios = go with God
Hasta más ver = until we meet again
Very informal expressions to say goodbye in Spanish
Due to the influence of other languages, Spanish has loanwords that are very used in the colloquial register. The speakers have the impression that these words are funny or cool and they love using them with friends. So, in these contexts don’t use adiós in Spanish and try some of these ones:
Chao = from the Italian ciao. In Spanish only to say “goodbye”, not “hello”.
Abur / Agur = from the Basque “agur”.
In addition to these, we have other expressive words that are used, among other meanings, to say goodbye:
Hala / Ala / Hale / Ale = from the same origin of hola but with more meanings (surprise, call somebody and farewell).
Venga = this command, from the verb venir, also has many uses (urgency, agreement and goodbye, too).
As you can see, we have many choices for farewells. So, don’t use adiós in Spanish for all situations. As much variations you use, the most natural you’ll sound. If you want to learn more of these expressions, don’t hesitate and reserve a lesson with us. Do you want to try one, first? Of course, reserve a trial lesson here. Hasta la vista.
By Ángel|2022-11-15T19:35:41+00:00May 13th, 2020|Words made in Spain|2 Comments
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2 Comments
Joe May 18, 2022 at 1:11 pm - Reply
Hasta la proxima
zidane July 13, 2023 at 5:29 am - Reply
thank you for the article
