How to Say Goodbye in Portuguese
Learn how to say goodbye in Portuguese. 'Tchau' is the casual everyday bye; 'Adeus' is more final. Pronunciation guide + 'see you later' phrases in Portuguese.
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Quick answer
To say goodbye in Portuguese, say 'Tchau' (chow) — the casual, everyday 'bye,' especially in Brazil. 'Adeus' (ah-DEUSH) is more formal and final (like 'farewell'). For 'see you later,' say 'Até logo' or 'Até mais.' 'Tchau' is by far the most common everyday goodbye; 'Adeus' is reserved for more definite partings.
Tchau
/chow/ — Portuguese
How to Say Goodbye in Portuguese
Portuguese goodbyes range from the breezy Tchau to the weightier Adeus — and the most common one might surprise you with its Italian roots.
The Everyday Goodbye: Tchau
Tchau — pronounced chow (exactly like “ciao”)
It’s the casual, friendly, everyday “bye” — used constantly, especially in Brazil.
Copy the Phrase
The Portuguese word for “goodbye” is Tchau (chow) for casual, or Adeus (ah-DEUSH) for formal/final.
Tchau’s Italian Origin
Here’s a fun fact: Tchau comes from the Italian ciao — brought to Brazil by Italian immigrants and spelled phonetically in Portuguese. So Brazil’s most common goodbye is a borrowed (and respelled) Italian word!
Tchau vs. Adeus
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Tchau | chow | Casual, everyday “bye” |
| Adeus | ah-DEUSH | Formal, final (“farewell”) |
Adeus carries finality — it relates to a Deus (“to God”) and implies a long or permanent parting. For everyday goodbyes, use Tchau; save Adeus for significant farewells.
The “Até…” Family (See You…)
Like other Romance languages, Portuguese uses “until…” to say “see you…”:
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Até logo | ah-TEH LOH-goo | See you later/soon |
| Até mais | ah-TEH mice | See you / until more |
| Até amanhã | ah-TEH ah-mahn-YAH | See you tomorrow |
| Até breve | ah-TEH BREH-vee | See you soon |
| Até já | ah-TEH zhah | See you in a moment |
These are the warm, common goodbyes when you’ll meet again.
Casual & Warm Goodbyes
| Portuguese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tchau | Bye |
| Tchau tchau | Bye bye (extra friendly) |
| Falou | ”Later” / “you said it” (Brazilian slang) |
| Se cuida | Take care (informal) |
| Fui | ”I’m out” (slang, literally “I went”) |
Formal Farewells
| Portuguese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Adeus | Farewell |
| Até logo | See you later (polite) |
| Foi um prazer | It was a pleasure |
| Tenha um bom dia | Have a good day |
| Passar bem | Take care / be well (Portugal, formal) |
Brazil vs. Portugal
- Brazil: Tchau dominates casual goodbyes
- Portugal: uses Adeus more freely for everyday byes, plus Até logo and Até já
Both varieties understand all these terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Tchau?
'Tchau' is pronounced exactly like the English/Italian 'chow' (or 'ciao'). It's one syllable: chow. In fact, 'Tchau' comes from the Italian 'ciao' (brought by Italian immigrants to Brazil) and is spelled phonetically in Portuguese. It's casual, friendly, and extremely common — the everyday Brazilian 'bye.'
What is the difference between Tchau and Adeus?
'Tchau' (chow) is the casual, everyday goodbye — like 'bye,' used constantly in Brazil for normal partings. 'Adeus' (ah-DEUSH) is more formal and carries a sense of finality — closer to 'farewell,' implying you may not see the person for a long time (it literally relates to 'a Deus' = 'to God'). For everyday goodbyes use 'Tchau'; save 'Adeus' for significant or final partings.
How do you say 'see you later' in Portuguese?
Common 'see you' phrases: 'Até logo' (ah-TEH LOH-goo — see you later/soon), 'Até mais' (ah-TEH mice — see you / until more), 'Até amanhã' (ah-TEH ah-mahn-YAH — see you tomorrow), 'Até breve' (see you soon), 'Até já' (see you in a moment). The 'Até...' family (literally 'until...') is the warm, common way to say goodbye when you'll meet again.
Is Tchau used in Portugal too?
Yes, 'Tchau' (sometimes spelled 'Chau') is used in Portugal, though European Portuguese also commonly uses 'Adeus' more freely for everyday goodbyes than Brazilian Portuguese does, plus 'Até logo' and 'Até já.' In Brazil, 'Tchau' dominates casual goodbyes. Both varieties understand all these terms.
How do you say goodbye formally in Portuguese?
For formal/polite farewells: 'Adeus' (farewell), 'Até logo' (see you later — polite and neutral), 'Tenha um bom dia' (have a good day), 'Foi um prazer' (it was a pleasure), 'Passar bem' (take care / be well — European Portuguese, formal). In professional settings, pairing a goodbye with a good-wish ('Tenha uma boa tarde') is courteous.