# Non-English languages: Permanent vs. non-permanent 'good-byes?'

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 13, 2007, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644 "2007-07-13T14:42:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644/1 "2007-07-13T14:42:36Z")

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This was briefly touched on in an earlier GQ thread. In English (American English, anyway), “bye” and “see ya” are just general valedictory phrases (and there are lots more). “Good-bye” can be, but, depending on how it’s said, can imply a permanent departure (and there are probably others, too). “Farewell” probably implies permanence, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone use it.

In other languares, are there similar phrases a distinction of permanent vs. non-permanent departures?

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**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644/2 "2007-07-13T17:07:14Z")

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In French adieu is probably more permanent than au revoir.

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**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644/3 "2007-07-13T17:10:28Z")

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In most of the Spanish speaking world, _adios_ is more “farewell” than “goodbye.” For everyday goodbyes, they use _hasta luego, nos vemos_ or the borrowed _chao_.

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**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644/4 "2007-07-13T18:30:04Z")

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Hasta la vista sounds pretty permanent, for some reason.

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**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644/5 "2007-07-13T18:36:42Z")

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[QUOTE=Leaffan]  
Hasta la vista sounds pretty permanent, for some reason.  
[/QUOTE]

It’s because we now associate it with a homocidal cyborg. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Pazu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pazu/32/15522_2.png) [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-languages-permanent-vs-non-permanent-good-byes/411644/6 "2007-07-13T23:19:13Z")

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In Japanese, _sayonara_ is a more “long-term” goodbye than _ja matta_ or _ja ne_.