adiós
“adiós” means “goodbye” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
goodbye
Also: bye
📝 In Action
Adiós, ¡hasta mañana!
A1Goodbye, see you tomorrow!
Bueno, me tengo que ir. ¡Adiós a todos!
A1Well, I have to go. Goodbye everyone!
goodbye
Also: farewell
📝 In Action
Fue un adiós muy triste en la estación de tren.
B1It was a very sad goodbye at the train station.
No es un adiós, sino un hasta luego.
B2It's not a goodbye, but a see you later.
Le dio el último adiós en el funeral.
B2She gave him the last farewell at the funeral.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: adiós
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'adiós' to mean the *act* of saying goodbye, not just the word itself?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Old Spanish phrase 'a Dios vos acomiendo', which means 'I commend you to God'. Over many years, people shortened this heartfelt wish to just 'a Dios'.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'adiós' more final than 'hasta luego'?
Yes, generally. 'Adiós' can imply a longer separation, or that you don't know when you'll see the person again. 'Hasta luego' ('see you later') and 'nos vemos' ('see you') are much more common for everyday goodbyes to people you see regularly.
Why did someone say 'adiós' to me while just passing on the street?
That's a great observation! In some countries, especially Mexico, 'adiós' is used as a quick, polite greeting to strangers you pass by. It's like a friendly acknowledgement that combines 'hello' and 'goodbye' since you aren't stopping to talk.