What does it mean word for word?
The phrase has three greetings joined by e, which works exactly like the English word and.
Which one should you use?
Adeus is a more formal or permanent way to say goodbye and often suggests a long or final parting. Tchau is the common informal goodbye. For a lighter goodbye you can also say Até logo for see you soon, Até mais for see you later or Até amanhã for see you tomorrow.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual, everyday settings Portuguese speakers are much more likely to say tchau than adeus for goodbye.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for thank you changes its ending to match the gender of the speaker. A man says obrigado and a woman says obrigada. The same rule applies to thank you very much, which is Muito obrigado for a man and Muito obrigada for a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
The whole phrase is pronounced /oˈla aˈdews ˈɛ o.bɾiˈɡa.du/ and has seven syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
A common mistake is for a woman to say obrigado. Women should say obrigada. Another is using adeus for an everyday goodbye to friends, where tchau sounds more natural.
When do people say it?
To thank someone for something specific you can use Obrigado(a) pelo(a) followed by the thing. To say you appreciate it, use Eu agradeço. When someone is about to face a challenge, you can wish them Boa sorte!, which means good luck.
Did you know?
- The word adeus comes from the Medieval Latin phrase ad Deum, which means 'to God'. It was originally a wish that the person being left would be delivered to God.
- The common informal goodbye tchau is not actually a native Portuguese word. It is borrowed from the Italian word ciao.
- The gender of the word for 'thank you' is determined by the person speaking, not by the person being thanked.
Examples in context
- Eu disse olá, adeus e obrigado.I said hello, goodbye, and thank you.
- Ele só sabe dizer olá, adeus e obrigado.He only knows how to say hello, goodbye, and thank you.
- Você deve dizer olá, adeus e obrigado.You should say hello, goodbye, and thank you.
Example conversation
Gabriel is teaching Mariana basic Portuguese words.
- GabrielRepete comigo: olá, adeus e obrigado.Repeat after me: hello, goodbye, and thank you.
- MarianaOlá, adeus e obrigado!Hello, goodbye, and thank you!
- GabrielMuito bem, Mariana!Very well, Mariana!
- MarianaJá aprendi o básico.I have already learned the basics.
