STOP saying “Adiós” in Spanish (and what to say instead)
Adiós is only one way to end a conversation in Spanish. Lucía shares other farewells and helps you choose one that fits the moment.
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Try it yourself
Write three short goodbye exchanges for different situations. Say them aloud and notice how the choice of farewell changes the tone.
Watch the original lesson on YouTube.
Edited lesson transcript and examples
Read the complete substantive lesson in its original order, including all ten farewells and the original Spanish examples. This readable transcript is edited from the complete manual English and original automatic English captions, with Spanish text checked against the original video graphics. Caption errors and punctuation are repaired; contextual translations and labelled learner notes are additions. The instructor’s preferences, humor and teaching priorities are retained. Chapter timestamps are approximate. Music and the brand bumper are omitted.
- 0:00 — Ten alternatives to adiós
- 0:31 — 1. Hasta luego
- 1:13 — 2. Ya hablamos
- 1:35 — 3. Nos vemos
- 2:01 — 4. Hasta mañana
- 2:29 — Study guide and lesson support
- 2:56 — 5. Hasta la próxima
- 3:27 — 6. Buenas noches
- 3:49 — 7. Que vaya bien
- 4:48 — 8. Cuídate
- 5:40 — 9. Pásalo bien
- 6:25 — 10. Chao
- 6:45 — Closing and the original joke
0:00 — Ten alternatives to adiós
Are you still saying adiós? Stop! It’s time to learn some better ways to say goodbye and sound like a Spanish native. Let’s get this straight: adiós isn’t incorrect, but it sounds too final—something like “Goodbye… forever.” Want to know what I’d say instead? Today I’m teaching you ten alternatives that sound more natural and less abrupt, plus how and when to use each. Let’s begin!
Learner note — Adiós in context: Adiós is a normal, correct farewell; it does not inherently mean goodbye forever. The lesson keeps Lucía’s preference for more open-ended alternatives. Tone, situation and regional habits affect which farewell feels natural. Source: RAE–ASALE.
0:31 — 1. Hasta luego
Hasta luego
Example translation: See you later; later.
The literal translation is something like “until later”, which is not the usual English farewell. English speakers say “See you later” or just “Later”. Hasta luego is incredibly common. It suggests seeing the other person later, but don’t worry: you’re not committing to actually meeting again. It’s just a nice way to say goodbye. You can use it when leaving a store; it’s friendly and casual without feeling abrupt. Can you feel the difference from adiós?
1:13 — 2. Ya hablamos
Ya hablamos
Example translation: Talk to you later.
The next expression also has a casual feel and is especially common in Spain for saying farewell to a friend. We use it to end a conversation while keeping the door open to continue later. Noticing a trend? We like leaving things open-ended. What do you think? Is that normal in your country too? Write your answer in the comments while I move on.
1:35 — 3. Nos vemos
Nos vemos
Example translation: See you.
Nos vemos pronto
Example translation: See you soon.
The same open-ended sense. These express a desire to see the other person soon, rather than an obligation, and feel friendlier to me than adiós. When would you use nos vemos? Do you want an even more precise farewell?
2:01 — 4. Hasta mañana
Hasta mañana
Example translation: See you tomorrow.
Literally “until tomorrow”; “See you tomorrow” is the usual English expression. Hasta mañana is widely used. I’d use it when I know I’m seeing the person the next day. It works in casual and formal settings—with friends, when leaving a classroom or ending a work meeting.
2:29 — Study guide and lesson support
Speaking of work, are you putting work into your Spanish studies? On My Daily Spanish we have a free study guide to guide you step by step as you learn Spanish on your own. You can download it by scanning the QR code in the video or using the link in its description. And yes, it’s free. If you’re liking this lesson, give it a thumbs up and subscribe. How else would I know you like my lessons? If I see you in my next video—which leads me to…
2:56 — 5. Hasta la próxima
Hasta la próxima
Example translation: Until next time.
A nice expression when ending a meeting with friends or people you’d like to see again, without knowing exactly when that will happen; in the situation I describe, probably not very soon. When would you use hasta la próxima? Tell me in the comments. Let’s keep going with more cool farewells. To sound more natural, you need alternatives. What if you’re saying goodbye at night?
3:27 — 6. Buenas noches
Buenas noches
Example translation: Good night.
Very common in casual and formal contexts. You’re sending a nice message: you want the person to have a good night. There are other ways to give someone your best wishes while saying goodbye. I’ll show you three. Ready?
3:49 — 7. Que vaya bien
Que vaya bien
Example translation: I hope everything goes well.
This is a great way to wish someone good luck or hope things go smoothly: “Good luck!” or “I hope it all goes well.” Que introduces a wish or hope. Vaya is a subjunctive form of ir, to go; here it isn’t about physically going somewhere. Bien means well. You’re wishing someone all the best in a friendly way. Here’s an example.
Mañana tengo una entrevista de trabajo
Example translation: I have a job interview tomorrow.
¡Que vaya bien!
Example translation: I hope it goes well!
Simple, right? A nice, easy way to show you care. You can wish people well even if they don’t have a specific event. If you liked que vaya bien, you’ll love the next one. It wishes someone well as they leave and is just one verb. Can you guess it?
4:48 — 8. Cuídate
Cuídate
Example translation: Take care.
This is the informal imperative of cuidar, to take care of, with the pronoun te. It addresses one person as tú, informally, as with a friend or someone you know well. It’s a friendly way of wishing someone well.
Cuídese
Example translation: Take care, addressing usted.
Cuídese is the form for usted, which also means you but is more formal in the contrast shown here. Can you tell the difference? If you don’t know when to use tú or usted, watch the video recommended on screen. Next I’ll share the word I use most, but first one more alternative for a friend or family member who plans to do something fun.
5:40 — 9. Pásalo bien
Pásalo bien
Example translation: Have fun.
Pásalo contains the informal tú imperative of pasar, to pass or spend, plus the direct object pronoun lo, “it”. The lesson connects “it” with the experience or time. Pásalo literally gives something like “pass it” or “spend it”. Bien is an adverb meaning well and makes the whole expression about having a positive, enjoyable time.
Learner note — The whole expression: In the lesson, pásalo bien means have fun. Learn the whole phrase for its conversational meaning; the literal word-by-word gloss is a memory aid.
Are you enjoying this lesson? We’ve reached the final expression, the one I use most in everyday life.
6:25 — 10. Chao
Chao
Example translation: Bye.
Just that. Good for almost any context in the casual use I’m describing. It comes from Italian ciao, but don’t confuse the uses: Spanish chao is for goodbye, not hello. We write it differently and say it a lot casually.
Learner note — Italian and Spanish: Italian ciao can be a greeting or a farewell. Spanish chao is a colloquial farewell meaning adiós or hasta luego. Source: RAE–ASALE.
6:45 — Closing and the original joke
Now you know how to say goodbye without adiós. But do you know how to order without sounding like a demanding robot? Watch the recommended video for alternatives to yo quiero.
¡Adiós!
Example translation: Goodbye!
It’s a joke!
¡Hasta pronto!
Example translation: See you soon!
Now you know a new one.
