Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Farewell in Spanish: Despedida & Adiós
Despedida · noun (feminine) · dehs-peh-DEE-dah
Despedida is the noun for farewell (event/act of saying goodbye). Adiós is the interjection said when parting. Hasta siempre is for a dramatic permanent farewell.
dehs-peh-DEE-dah (despedida) · ah-DYOHS (adiós)
La despedida fue muy emotiva; todos lloraron.
The farewell was very emotional; everyone cried.
Farewell in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for farewell, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| despedida | farewell | dehs-peh-DEE-dah | Default, widely understood |
| adiós | farewell | the spoken farewell greeting | |
| hasta siempre | farewell | forever farewell — emotional |
How Native Speakers Use Despedida
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Farewell party
Organizamos una fiesta de despedida para nuestra compañera.
We organized a farewell party for our coworker.
Fiesta de despedida is the standard term for a going-away party.
Saying goodbye
Adiós, amigo. Te voy a extrañar mucho.
Farewell, my friend. I am going to miss you a lot.
Adiós is used when parting, especially for long separations.
Permanent farewell
Hasta siempre, compañeros. Fue un honor trabajar con ustedes.
Farewell forever, colleagues. It was an honor working with you.
Hasta siempre implies you may never meet again.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Despedida
Confusing despedida with despido
Incorrect: Le dieron una despedida del trabajo. (meaning layoff)
Correct: Le dieron un despido. / Le hicieron una despedida.
Despedida = farewell (positive). Despido = firing/dismissal. Same verb, different meanings.
Using adiós too casually
Incorrect: ¡Adiós! (to someone you will see in an hour)
Correct: ¡Hasta luego! / ¡Nos vemos!
Adiós implies longer or final goodbye. For short partings use hasta luego or chao.
Lock in Farewell Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Despedida used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using despedida in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La despedida fue muy emotiva; todos lloraron. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Farewell in Spanish
- How do you say farewell in Spanish?
- The noun is despedida. The spoken word is adiós. For emotional permanent farewell: hasta siempre.
- What is a fiesta de despedida?
- A farewell party thrown when someone is leaving a job, moving away, or going on a long trip.
- Is adiós too formal for everyday?
- Not formal, but implies longer separation. For quick goodbyes: hasta luego, nos vemos, or chao.