adiós
/aˈdjos/
adiós is the Spanish way to say goodbye.
adiós is a common way to say goodbye when leaving someone.
What does it mean word for word?
Etymologically, the word is derived from the phrase a Dios, which means to God.
Which one should you use?
While adiós is a standard way to say goodbye, it can sometimes imply a more permanent or long-term departure compared to phrases like hasta luego, which means see you later.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, adiós, Hasta luego and Nos vemos are all common ways to say goodbye. In Argentina, Chau is a common way to say goodbye.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈdjos/
Did you know?
- The word adiós is a linguistic 'cousin' to many European words, including the Dutch aju and the German tschüss, as they all trace back to the same Medieval Latin roots.
- While adiós is standard, the word chau is widely used in Argentina. It is derived from the Italian word ciao, reflecting the massive wave of Italian immigration to the region.
- In certain emotional contexts, adiós functions less as a greeting and more as a 'final' break, similar to how 'farewell' is used in English literature.
Examples in context
- Adiós, que tengas un buen día.Goodbye, have a good day.
- Tengo que irme, ¡adiós!I have to go, goodbye!
- Adiós a todos, nos vemos pronto.Goodbye everyone, see you soon.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are leaving a coffee shop.
- MaríaBueno, ya es tarde. ¡Adiós, Daniel!Well, it is late already. Goodbye, Daniel!
- DanielAdiós, María. Cuídate mucho.Goodbye, María. Take care.
- MaríaGracias, tú también.Thanks, you too.
- DanielNos vemos mañana.See you tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry adiós, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adiós, CC BY-SA 4.0.
