Which one should you use?
Use adiós, profesora if the teacher is a woman. You can also use the alternative adiós, maestro for a male teacher, which can feel slightly more affectionate or denote a primary school teacher. If you are addressing a group of male teachers or a mixed-gender group, use the plural profesores.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adiós, profesor/profesora is a formal way to say goodbye. Other formal options include Hasta luego, profesor/profesora (See you later) or Que tenga un buen día, profesor/profesora (Have a good day, teacher). For casual settings, you can use the informal ¡Chao, profe!, the relaxed Nos vemos, profe (See you, teacher) or Hasta la próxima, profe (Until next time, teacher). In casual daily interactions, hasta luego is often used instead of adiós to imply that you will see the teacher again soon.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of male teachers or a mixed-gender group, change the singular title to the plural form profesores.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈdjos pɾofeˈsoɾ/
When do people say it?
Addressing a teacher by their title is a standard way to demonstrate respect in many Spanish-speaking cultures.
Did you know?
- When you say adiós, you are literally saying 'to God'. It derives from the Medieval Latin 'ad Deum', which was a way of entrusting a person to God's care during a departure.
- In some Latin American countries, saying adiós to a teacher can actually sound quite permanent, as if you will never see them again. Using hasta luego is often a safer way to ensure the goodbye sounds casual and temporary.
- While profesor is the standard term, calling a teacher maestro can signal that they are viewed as a lifelong mentor rather than just an instructor.
Examples in context
- Estimado profesor, quiero agradecerle por todas las enseñanzas. Adiós y que tenga un buen día.Dear teacher, I want to thank you for all the teachings. Goodbye and have a good day.
- ¡Hasta luego, profe! Nos vemos en la próxima clase.See you later, teacher! See you in the next class.
- Muchas gracias y adiós, profesor.Thank you very much and goodbye, teacher.
- Hasta mañana, adiós, profesor.See you tomorrow, goodbye, teacher.
Example conversation
Daniel is leaving the classroom after a lesson.
- DanielYa terminé mi trabajo. Adiós, profesor.I finished my work. Goodbye, teacher.
- SofíaMuy bien, Daniel. Hasta mañana.Very good, Daniel. See you tomorrow.
- DanielHasta mañana.See you tomorrow.
- SofíaQue tengas un buen día.Have a nice day.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (adiós, profesor) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adiós, profesor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
