Did you know that the Spanish language is in the top three of the most widely spoken languages in the world, next to English and Mandarin? Before you travel to a Spanish speaking country you should try the basic phrases for example, how to say hello and how to say goodbye in Spanish.
Well, it is true. Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people. Spanish is spoken in over twenty-one countries across the world. Primarily in South America after Spain itself. There are a great many Spanish speakers in North America and Africa too. The only nation in Africa whose official language is Spanish is Equatorial Guinea.
Other countries that speak Spanish as their primary language include, Argentina, Cuba and Chile. Some countries like Portugal speak a language that is an evolution of Spanish as as such the basis of the language are very much the same.
Whenever you travel it is always good to try and master the very basics of the language. Not only this this polite and respect to local people but it can also come in very handy. By knowing just a little bit of the language you can travel far and it is safe to say that the local people will appreciate and be impressed with your efforts.
Spanish is a fairly easy language to learn in the sense that it follows the latin alphabet, just as English does. That is what makes learning languages like Hindi, Russian and Mandarin that bit harder is that you have the added challenge of learning a new alphabet; same goes for Nepali, Thai and Korean too.
In all honestly, many of us will know a little Spanish without even realising it. Spanish often features in dance music tracks that we sing along to on the radio. Surely you know the words ‘uno, dos, tres’? Spanish is as easy as one, two three!
You do not have to enrol yourself in night school to get to grips with the basics of the Spanish language. There are so many different ways to teach yourself a new set of language skills from the comfort of your own home.
Even on your commute to work you can get practicing. There are really no excuses.
You can download a podcast and listen before you go to bed, or when you are cooking dinner or even in the bath! Learning in a relaxed environment helps improve your memory.
Podcasts are normally free which makes learning Spanish that bit easier too. There are so many out there available to download right now.
Each podcast specialises in a different subject and each episode covers a different topic. Ranging from beginner focused to nearly fluent podcasts are one great option to get you learning. To download a popular Spanish learning podcast click here.
Language apps are another more interactive way to learn a language and are easily downloadable to your smartphone. If your smartphone is always in your hand scrolling through Facebook then why not make a better use of your time and get learning.
Apps like Duolingo make learning fun and teach the language through a series of games, quizzes and pop quizzes. Apps like Tandem allow you to converse with native speakers in real time, not only does this give you great insight into the language but you can make new friends too!
GoogleTranslate is the perfect app to use while you are travelling and even works when offline so there is no need to panic about getting wifi wherever you go, the app will do all the work for you.
How to Say Hello in Spanish
Saying hello in Spanish is very simple, there are no rituals or physical movements to make like in Japan where you must bow. In Spain they keep things easy. To say hello in Spanish you say ‘hola’. Say it with a smile, it just makes it sound nicer.
How to say Goodbye in Spanish
Saying goodbye in Spanish is just as easy to say and remember as hello. To say goodbye in Spanish you say ‘adios;. That is a word we are sure you already know. If you have ever watched the television programme Dora the Explorer you are bound to have heard that word, or the film Nacho Libre staring Jack Black.
There are countless films and TV programmes that drop the odd Spanish phrase into the mix. When you sit down and think about it you probably have the basics down pat without even realising it.
So there you have it, some hints, tips and tricks to help you kickstart learning Spanish and opening up a whole new world of opportunities for yourself.
Whether you download the apps, enrol in night school or simply read over this blog and get how to say hello and how to say goodbye in Spanish mastered in your mind it is safe to say that you now know a little more than you did five minutes ago.
8 ways to say goodbye in Spanish
- Adiós – This is the most common way to say goodbye in Spanish. It can be used in formal and informal settings.
- Hasta luego – This phrase means “until later” and is a common way to say goodbye in Spanish. It is more informal than adiós.
- Hasta pronto – This phrase means “until soon” and is similar to hasta luego. It is a casual way to say goodbye.
- Nos vemos – This phrase means “see you” and is a common way to say goodbye in Spanish. It is more casual than adiós.
- Chau – This is a slang way to say goodbye in Spanish that is more common in South American countries. It is very informal and should not be used in formal settings.
- Buenas noches – This phrase means “goodnight” and is a way to say goodbye at the end of the day or before going to sleep.
- Buen viaje – This phrase means “have a good trip” and is a way to say goodbye to someone who is going on a journey.
- Cuídate – This phrase means “take care” and is a way to say goodbye while expressing concern for the other person’s well-being.
Formal ways to say goodbye in Spanish
There are several formal ways to say goodbye in Spanish:
Adiós – This is the most common and formal way to say goodbye in Spanish. It is used in all kinds of situations, from formal to informal.
Hasta luego – This phrase means “see you later” and is often used as a farewell when you expect to see the person again in the near future.
Hasta pronto – Similar to “hasta luego,” this phrase means “see you soon.” It is used when you expect to see the person again in the not-too-distant future.
Nos vemos – This phrase means “we’ll see each other” and is often used as a casual farewell.
Chau – This is a more informal way to say goodbye, similar to “bye” in English. It is commonly used in South American Spanish.
Buenas noches – This phrase means “good night” and is often used as a farewell in the evening, particularly in formal or business situations.
Buen viaje – This phrase means “have a good trip” and is often used as a farewell when someone is traveling.
Quedo a su disposición – This phrase means “I remain at your disposition” and is often used as a formal farewell in business or official contexts.
Saludos – This means “regards” and is often used as a formal or semi-formal farewell in written communication, such as emails or letters.
Saludos cordiales – This means “kind regards” and is a more formal way to say goodbye in written communication.
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How to say Goodbye in Spanish