Portuguese · Greetings & Phrases
Tchau
[/ˈtʃaw/]
Bye / Goodbye
Beginnerinterjection
Definition
An informal farewell expression derived from the Italian "ciao".
Despedida informal.
Example
Tchau, até amanhã!
Bye, see you tomorrow!
Etymology
'Tchau' is derived from the Italian 'ciao', which means both hello and goodbye. It was adopted into Portuguese in the early 20th century, especially in urban areas.
How & Where It’s Used
'Tchau' is an informal way to say goodbye and is commonly used in casual settings. It’s prevalent in spoken language, particularly among younger people, and varies by region, with some areas favoring longer farewells.
Cultural Note
Very common in Brazilian Portuguese; in European Portuguese "adeus" or "até logo" is also common.