Which one should you use?
Unlike the Italian ciao, which can mean both 'hello' and 'goodbye', the Spanish chao is used only when leaving.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
chao is an informal way to say bye. In more formal settings, you might use Adiós to say goodbye or Buenas tardes to say both 'good afternoon' and 'goodbye' from around noon until early evening. For informal departures where you expect to see the person again, you can use Hasta luego (see you later), Hasta pronto (see you soon) or Nos vemos (we'll see each other).
Is it said differently in some regions?
While the Italian spelling ciao is understood, the phonetic spelling chao is the standard way to write this informal farewell in Spanish. ciao is used in the casual vocabulary of some Spanish speakers, particularly in Spain and Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃaw/
Did you know?
- The original Italian ciao comes from a Venetian phrase meaning 'I am your slave', which explains why Spanish speakers now use chao for a simple 'bye'.
- Speakers in Spain sometimes use chao in a 'rapid-fire' sequence, repeating the word several times quickly as they move away from someone.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word chao is perceived as more abrupt and final than adiós, which can be used to convey a sense of affection.
Examples in context
- Buenas noches, señorGood evening, sir
- Hasta luego, colegaSee you later, buddy
- Hasta pronto, hermanitoSee you soon, little brother
- Nos vemos, compañeraSee you, coworker
- Chao, nos vemos mañana.Bye, see you tomorrow.
- ¡Chao! Que tengas un buen fin de semana.Bye! Have a good weekend.
- Ya me voy, chao a todos.I'm leaving now, bye everyone.
Example conversation
Javier and María are finishing a conversation at a cafe.
- JavierTengo que irme al trabajo.I have to go to work.
- MaríaEstá bien, chao Javier.Okay, bye Javier.
- JavierChao, María, hasta luego.Bye, María, see you later.
- María¡Hasta luego!See you later!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ciao” translations and entries chao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
