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No matter what language you are learning, one of the first and most important phrases you need to learn is how to properly say “goodbye.”
There are several ways to say goodbye in Spanish and it’s important you learn a few of them in order to leave a good impression on the person you are speaking to.
Knowing the proper Spanish phrases for goodbye will also make sure that you don’t come off as “rude” or accidentally offend someone. Saying goodbye is also a polite way to bring your conversation to a halt.
Before you leave to travel to Spain or a Spanish speaking area, you should know at least a few of these ways to say goodbye.
Bonus: Download a free PDF file here with a list of ways to say Goodbye in Spanish that you can print out and take with you
12 Basic Ways to Say Goodbye in Spanish
The following phrases are some of the most common words and phrases in Spanish that mean “goodbye”. You are bound to hear one or more of these phrases every day, so you should know what they mean and how to use them.
1. Adiós
English equivalent: Goodbye
This is the most basic and common ways to say goodbye in Spanish. It is probably one of the first words or phrases that you will be taught when you begin taking Spanish lessons.
Adiós basically means that you are acknowledging that you are parting ways with someone and you don’t think you will be seeing them for a while. It’s considered appropriate for any level of formality and for use in almost any situation where you are taking your leave from an individual or group of people.
2. Chau/Chao
English equivalent: Bye
This is a very casual way to say goodbye in Spanish. It’s likely derived from the Italian phrase for goodbye, “ciao”. It’s considered informal and slightly “slangy” so you should probably only use it among friends.
3. Nos vemos
English equivalent: We’ll see each other soon
This is another way that you can say goodbye in Spanish. It is considered a little casual and a little “warmer”. It implies some familiarity with not just the person you are saying goodbye to but with their habits. You know that you will see each other again, possibly soon, because you either have plans together or just because you travel in the same circles and are bound to run into each other again.
4. Nos vemos allí
English equivalent: See you there
This is another way to say goodbye to a Spanish speaker with who you have plans. If you are leaving your friend now but you are going to meet them at a specific place later, you can use this phrase to say bye for now.
5. Espero verte pronto
English equivalent: I hope to see you soon
This is a warm and friendly way to say goodbye to a friend or acquaintance.
6. Cuídese / Cuídate
English equivalent: Take care (formal/informal)
These Spanish phrases are ways to say goodbye. Take note, that these phrases are different when it comes to formality.
“Cuídese” is more formal, so use it when you are in a professional setting. “Cuídate” is informal, so you can use it in daily situations.
7. Que tenga un buen día / Que tengas un buen día
English equivalent: Have a good day (formal/informal)
Again, these Spanish ways to say goodbye have different levels of formality. Make sure that you keep it in mind and use them appropriately.
8. Buenas noches
English equivalent: Good night
If it is night time, you can use this Spanish phrase to say goodbye. Take note, however, that it can also be used to greet someone who has just arrived.
9. Feliz Noche
English equivalent: Happy night
Another way that you can say farewell to someone if it is night time.
10. Buenas tardes
English equivalent: Goodbye (in the afternoon)
The literal translation of this Spanish phrase is “good afternoon”. While English speakers are more likely to use “good afternoon” as another way to say “hello”, a Spanish speaker will say this to say both “hello” and “goodbye”. The key here is, you can use this phrase to say goodbye if you are parting from someone in the afternoon.
11. Pásalo bien
English equivalent: Have a good time
If you want to say goodbye to someone who is leaving your company to go to an event like a party, you can say this phrase.
12. Disfruta
English equivalent: Enjoy
This is similar to “pásalo bien”.
11 Ways to Say Goodbye in Spanish Using “Hasta”
There are several phrases for goodbye in Spanish that use the word “hasta”. Hasta basically translates to “until” and, as you will see in the examples we give below, can imply that you know when you will be seeing someone again.
These phrases are ways to say goodbye that are considered casual and friendly, but not informal. You can use them in almost any social group and situation.
1. Hasta luego
English equivalent: See you later, bye
This is a casual way to say goodbye in Spanish. You will probably hear it more often among the younger generation of Spanish speakers when they are among their friends.
2. Hasta pronto
English equivalent: See you soon
Another casual Spanish phrase that you can use when you are parting from a group of friends.
3. Hasta la vista
English equivalent: See you soon
After “adios”, this is the Spanish goodbye that most people are familiar with – even if they are not Spanish speakers or even Spanish language learners. “Hasta la vista” has pop-culture clout as it is a line made famous in the Hollywood movie, “Terminator 2”.
4. Hasta ahora
English equivalent: See you in a minute
This is a casual way to say goodbye in Spanish. You are not meant to take it literally, it will probably be more than a minute before you see each other again, but it’s still appropriate to use in almost any situation.
5. Hasta la próxima
English equivalent: Until next time
This is an informal way to say goodbye to people you see regularly. So, if you are saying goodbye to your study group or leaving your favorite coffee shop, you can use this phrase.
6. Hasta mañana
English equivalent: See you tomorrow
This is another way to bid someone farewell, for now. As you can see, it’s kind of “time-sensitive” as you are telling them that you know when you will come together again, tomorrow.
If you are leaving the office on a Monday, for example, you can say “hasta mañana” to your co-workers because you will both be in the office the next day.
7. Hasta el (day of the week)
English equivalent: See you (day of the week)
This is a way that you can say goodbye to a Spanish speaker if you know when you will be seeing each other next. Just say, “hasta el” and add the day of the week when you are meeting up again.
For example, “hasta el lunes”. “Lunes” is the Spanish word for Monday, so you are saying that you will see that person on Monday.
8. Hasta la próxima semana
English equivalent: See you next week
This is another Spanish phrase for goodbye if you know when you will see someone again. In this case, you will be seeing them next week.
If you are saying goodbye to your classmates on a Wednesday, and you know that you won’t see them till your next class on Tuesday, you can use this phrase for goodbye.
9. Hasta el próximo mes
English equivalent: See you next month
Similar to “hasta la próxima semana”, except you are going to be meeting the person again in a month.
10. Hasta Siempre
English equivalent: Goodbye forever
This is a dramatic Spanish phrase that you’re probably not going to hear in real life. It’s more “telenovela” language, for lovers who are going to part forever.
11. Hasta Nunca
English equivalent: Until never
This is an angry way to say goodbye, also a slightly “telenovala” speech. When someone says this they are basically saying their final goodbye to someone they never want to see again.
5 Very Casual Ways to Say Goodbye To Spanish Speakers
The following phrases are ways to say goodbye in Spanish that considered very informal. Save these phrases to use when you are around friends or younger acquaintances, not for when you are leaving a business meeting.
1. Te veo
English equivalent: See you
This is an informal Spanish phrase for goodbye. While just saying “Te veo” is enough to say goodbye, you can also add some qualifications as to when you will “see” them. So, add a day or a time or even an event like a meeting when you will see them again.
2. Me voy
English equivalent: I’m going
This is a rather informal phrase so you should only use it in a casual situation. You are saying that you are leaving or going away.
3. Ya me voy
English equivalent: I’m out
Similar to “me voy”.
4. Luego nos vemos/Alli bis vemos/Nos vemos por ahi
English equivalent: See you around
These are informal phrases that you can take your leave from a group of friends or colleagues.
5. Que te banes
English equivalent: See ya later
A slangy way to say farewell.
Conclusion
Words and phrases that mean “goodbye” are important for any language learner to know. They are included in most lists of basic and common words you need to know in a foreign language.
Knowing how to politely end a conversation or take your leave of a situation is an important conversational skill to have. If you know how to say goodbye in Spanish, you will leave a good impression on the person you are speaking to and will ensure that they will want to see and speak with you again.
Download our PDF of ways to say goodbye in Spanish here. That way you can memorize them at your leisure. We also recommend that you take this list and show it to an online native Spanish speaking tutor.
A good tutor can give you tips on how and when you should use each of these Spanish phrases for goodbye. They can also correct your pronunciation and critique your accent to ensure that, if a Spanish speaker hears you say “adios” or “hasta el lunes”, they will understand what you are trying to say.
