One of the first things you cover when learning Spanish is how to greet someone, usually followed by how to say goodbye. The word adiós (goodbye) is the most familiar, but there are lots of ways to end a conversation or a message in Spanish. It can depend a lot on the situation, who you’re speaking to, and the formality of the situation. With this helpful guide (and Rosetta Stone), you’ll choose from a variety of expressions for saying goodbye in Spanish.
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The most common way to say ‘goodbye’ in Spanish
Most of us first learn to say adiós (goodbye). This is a simple, straightforward goodbye that you can use in any situation.
- Adiós, Mamá. = Goodbye, Mom.
- Adiós, Papá. = Goodbye, Dad.
- Adiós, Abuela. = Goodbye, Grandma.
- Adiós, Abuelo. = Goodbye, Grandpa.
- Gracias. ¡Adiós! = Thank you. Goodbye!
These are all ways of ending a conversation that work well in both formal and casual conversations, so you can despedirse (say goodbye).
Casual/informal ways to say ‘goodbye’ in Spanish
While adiós can always work as a general way to say goodbye in Spanish, in everyday speech, you’ll hear an assortment of expressions. What is goodbye in Spanish when you’re leaving a friend or family member?
If you’re going to see the person again in the near future, you might say:
- ¡Nos vemos! = We will see you then!
- Nos vemos en la tarde. = See you this afternoon.
The phrase nos vemos literally translates to “we see each other.” The near future is implied, or you can specify.
You can also use expressions with the word hasta (until). Most of the time, you’ll translate these expressions to “see you” in English.
- ¡Gracias y hasta luego! = Thank you and see you later!
These expressions with hasta are common and indicate that you’re saying goodbye “until” a particular time, which could be specific or general. Learning these expressions is a great way to master some common Spanish words for different time frames.
- ¡Hasta pronto! = See you soon!
- ¡Hasta mañana! = See you tomorrow!
- ¡Hasta la próxima! = See you next time!
- ¡Hasta la vista! = See you when I see you!
- ¡Hasta el lunes! = See you Monday!
- ¡Hasta entonces! = See you then!
And if you don’t know when you’ll see the person again, you could use:
- ¡Espero verte pronto! = I hope to see you soon!
Slang ways to say goodbye in Spanish
You’ll experience a wide variety of goodbyes in casual speech: The chart below includes just a few. Many are common in both Latin America and Spain, but you’ll likely find some regional and generational variation, like most Spanish slang.
| Spanish | English |
| ¡Chau/Chao! | Bye/Ciao |
| ¡Cuídate! | Take care! |
| ¡Hablamos después!/¡Hablamos! | Talk later! |
| ¡Hasta ahorita! | See ya later! |
| ¡Hasta prontito! | See you in a teeny bit! |
| ¡Me tengo que ir! | I gotta go! |
| ¡Me voy! | I’m out of here! |
| ¡Nos estamos viendo! | We’re seeing each other! |
| ¡Quédate bien! | Stay well! |
| ¡Sigue bien! | Stay well! |
| ¡Suerte! | Good luck! |
| ¡Te veo! | See ya! |
| ¡Yo me abro! | I’m out! |
Informal ways to say goodbye in writing
Use these expressions for signing off a quick note to a friend or loved one, especially if you want to communicate fondness:
- Un abrazo muy fuerte = A big hug
- Besitos = Kisses
- Saludos = Greetings
Formal ways to say ‘goodbye’ in Spanish
When you’re in a more formal situation, you’ll want to show some good manners. While adiós wouldn’t be considered rude, it’s polite to go the extra mile and add a bit more formality to your goodbye. You might hear more of the usted (you) forms in these expressions since they are more formal, but many have an informal counterpart using the tú (you) forms of different parts of speech.
| Spanish | English |
| Fue un placer. | It was a pleasure. |
| Hasta más tarde. | See you later. |
| Le agradezco mucho su tiempo. | I thank you very much for your time. |
| ¡Qué esté bien! | Be well! |
| ¡Qué tenga un buen día! | Have a nice day! |
| ¡Qué tenga un excelente fin de semana! | Have an excellent weekend! |
Formal goodbyes in Spanish writing
Some options for ending a written message more formally include:
- Atentamente = Sincerely
- Con respeto = With respect
- Un cordial saludo = A warm greeting
- Le deseo el mejor = I wish you the best
- Le saluda atentamente = Yours sincerely
How do you say goodbye in Spanish in different regions?
The Spanish language is rich with regional variety due to the number of Spanish dialects around the world. Just a few ways to say goodbye in Spanish from around the world include:
Chau, pescao (Goodbye, “fish.”)
Heard in Cuba and elsewhere, this is a cute rhyme like “See you later, alligator.” The word pescado (fish) is an example of how many native speakers in Caribbean Spanish dialects will drop the “d” sound from their word endings.
Ahí nos vidrios (We’ll see ya later.)
An older phrase heard in parts of Argentina and Mexico, this is a casual goodbye between friends.
Cámara (literally, camera)
Your friends in Mexico might say this before they leave. Ask them to explain why, though, and they might have no idea where this expression came from.
Hasta mañanita (See you tomorrow)/Adiosita (goodbye)
Using the diminutive suffixes -ito and -ita can make your speech more casual, affectionate, cute, or fun. Spanish speakers in various regions, including Mexico, will have their own ways of adding diminutives to their goodbyes.
Me piro (I’m splitting)
In Spain, this is one of the ways you might hear a friend leave a social situation. It’s very colloquial.
Hasta la vista, beibi. (‘Til I see you again, baby.)
A list of goodbyes in Spanish and other languages wouldn’t be complete without the expression made popular in a movie in the early 1990s. You’ll still hear this expression every once in a while in Colombia, Mexico, or the US.
Os veo (See y’all.)
The word os (you) is only used in Spain, as it’s the direct object pronoun “you” that corresponds with the Peninsular Spanish vosotros (you; plural, informal). Someone would say this to a group of friends as they depart instead of te veo in the singular.
Pura Vida (Pure Life)
Costa Rica is known for this expression, which can mean any number of things, including a hello in Spanish, a goodbye, thank you, you’re welcome, or just an expression of shared joy. If a local says it to you, you can respond with pura vida again.
Key takeaways about saying goodbye in Spanish for any situation
Knowing how to say goodbye in Spanish in a variety of ways can help you make and keep connections with Spanish speakers from around the world, or to end your meetings with Rosetta Stone’s live lessons facilitators.
- Use adiós (goodbye) as a standard goodbye in any situation.
- Practice casual goodbyes such as hasta luego (see you later) and its many variations with friends and acquaintances.
- Use more formal greetings, such as Le agradezco su atención (I thank you for your attention), to add formality and manners to a goodbye in Spanish.
- Slang ways to say goodbye will vary greatly depending on region and generation.
