Skip to main content

chao

interjectionBeginner

What does “chao” mean in English?

  1. bye

    bye (informal)

Example sentences

  • ¡Chao, nos vemos mañana!

    Bye, see you tomorrow!

  • Chao, hasta luego.

    Bye, see you later.

  • Chao, cuídate.

    Bye, take care.

How to use it

Chao means 'bye' (casual). Informal — use with friends, family, peers. Sometimes spelled chau in Latin America. Equivalent to English 'bye' or 'see ya'.

Common mistake

Chao is casual; don't use it in formal or business contexts. For formal partings, stick to adiós or hasta luego.

Topics

Related Beginner words

Reference

This entry’s teaching guidance follows A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (Butt, Benjamin & Moreira Rodríguez, Routledge), 30.