a dopo
/a ˈdo.po/word by word
The English phrase "bye for now" can be translated into Italian as a dopo.
a dopo is a casual way to say "see you later". It is used when you expect to see the person again later the same day. For a similar relaxed sentiment, you can also say ci vediamo dopo, which means "we'll see each other later".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition a (to/at) and the adverb dopo (after/later).
Which one should you use?
While a dopo implies you will see the person again later the same day, a presto is used when you will see them again soon, but the exact time is not specified.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
a dopo is an informal, casual and friendly way to say goodbye. For a more general way to say goodbye, you might use arrivederci or the more respectful formal version arrivederla.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /a ˈdo.po/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word dopo is so versatile that it can be used as a noun to mean 'the afterlife' in certain spiritual or poetic contexts.
- While a dopo is a friendly way to part ways, Italians often accompany these casual goodbyes with a 'double cheek kiss' or a hug, depending on the closeness of the relationship.
- The preposition a in a dopo creates a 'destination' in time, treating the future moment of meeting as a physical place the speakers are traveling toward.
Examples in context
- Ciao, ci vediamo presto! Grazie per l'ottima serata!Bye, see you soon! Thanks for the great evening!
- Grazie mille, a dopo!Thanks a lot, bye for now!
- Devo andare, a dopo.I have to go, bye for now.
- A dopo, ci vediamo stasera.Bye for now, see you tonight.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are leaving a coffee shop after a brief chat.
- LorenzoCiao Giulia, a dopo!Bye Giulia, bye for now!
- GiuliaSì, a dopo, Lorenzo.Yes, bye for now, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoCi sentiamo più tardi.We will talk later.
- GiuliaVa bene, a dopo.Alright, bye for now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry a dopo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (a, dopo) and can differ in connected speech.
