.png)
You might think saying goodbye in Portuguese is just a simple matter of learning one word, but it’s actually slightly more complex than that. Firstly, if you think about all the different parting expressions that exist in English, it’s no surprise that saying goodbye in Portuguese is similar. Secondly, European and Brazilian Portuguese actually have different words for “goodbye,” so which word you use can also depend on your geographical location. Selecting the right parting expression for the right situation is a skill that you can develop with a Portuguese tutor. Here are a few words and expressions to help you get started:
Adeus: The “standard” way of saying goodbye in European Portuguese. Used in all situations in Portugal, and in some formal situations in Brazil, where it tends to be considered somewhat aloof.
Tchau: This is the most common way of saying goodbye in Brazilian Portuguese, and comes from the Italian word ciao. It is much more common in Brazil than adeus. Tchau has entered European Portuguese as a Brazilianism over the last 30 years, but it’s better to use adeus in Portugal.
Até mais / Até logo / Até breve: All these expressions mean “see you soon” and can be used interchangeably. In Brazil, these are often used in formal situations rather than “adeus.”
Até mais tarde: See you later.
Vai com Deus / Vá com Deus: This literally means “go with God,” and is used similarly to “stay safe” or “take care.”
Tenha um(a) bom dia / boa tarde / boa noite: Have a nice day / afternoon / evening. As in English, bom dia, boa tarde, and boa noite can also be used by themselves as partings.
Boa viagem: Have a nice trip / safe journey.
The words and expressions above are a good starting point. If you want to be able to use them fluently as part of a full conversation, however, you’ll have to work on them. After practicing with a tutor enough times, you’ll be able to instinctively pick the right parting phrase for the right situation, just like a native Portuguese speaker.