chao
/ˈt͡ʃaw/
chao is an informal Spanish way to say bye.
chao is a common interjection used to say goodbye, serving a similar purpose to "bye" or "see you later" in English.
Which one should you use?
While chao is casual, adiós is more neutral and can sometimes imply a more permanent or formal farewell. You may also use the informal phrase Nos vemos to mean "see you."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
chao is an informal way to say goodbye, similar to "bye" in English. Its informal counterpart Chau is also widely used, particularly in Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may hear people say Hasta mañana to mean "see you tomorrow" instead of chao or adiós.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃaw/
Did you know?
- The word chao is a 'doublet' of the Spanish word esclavo, meaning 'slave'. Both words eventually trace their roots back to the same source through different paths of borrowing.
- In certain Caribbean cultures, saying chao can be perceived as overly abrupt or even rude depending on the tone, where a more lingering farewell is culturally preferred.
- Despite its ubiquity, some traditionalists in Spain still view chao as an unnecessary foreign intrusion into the language. They prefer adiós or hasta luego to maintain linguistic purity.
Examples in context
- Chao, nos vemos mañana.Bye, see you tomorrow.
- ¡Chao, que te vaya bien!Bye, I hope things go well for you!
- Ya me voy, chao.I'm leaving now, bye.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are leaving a coffee shop.
- MateoFue un gusto verte, María.It was a pleasure seeing you, María.
- MaríaIgualmente, Mateo. Chao.Likewise, Mateo. Bye.
- MateoChao, nos vemos pronto.Bye, see you soon.
- María¡Sí, chao!Yes, bye!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
