Chao
casual, Chile
In Chile the usual casual goodbye is Chao, spelled with -ao. It sounds like "chow". It is also called Nos vemos and Hasta luego.
Meaning: farewell (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Chao | casual, Chile |
| Nos vemos | casual |
| Hasta luego | neutral |
| Cuídate | warm |
Chileans combine it with other words. Ya, chao is a quick way to end a phone call, and Chao, nos vemos is common after meeting a friend.
Which one should you use?
Cuídate means "take care" and is warm. Hasta luego fits shops and polite situations.
How do you pronounce it?
Say chao as one syllable, like English "chow", with a sharp "ch".
Did you know?
- Chileans often add po or ya at the end of a phrase, so a friendly goodbye may sound like ya, chao po.
Examples in context
- Ya, chao, hablamos.Okay, bye, we will talk.
- Chao, nos vemos el lunes.Bye, see you Monday.
- Cuídate mucho, ¿ya?Take good care, okay?
Example conversation
Camila ends a phone call with her friend Felipe in Santiago.
- CamilaBueno, Felipe, tengo que cortar.Well, Felipe, I have to hang up.
- FelipeYa, no hay problema. Chao.Okay, no problem. Bye.
- CamilaChao, cuídate.Bye, take care.
